Overview
- The Pachpadra complex reported a fire Monday in the crude distillation unit during commissioning tests, which crews contained within hours after evacuations, with no injuries.
- The inauguration planned for Tuesday was postponed, and the Petroleum Ministry formed a committee of external experts to investigate, with a new date to be announced.
- Security and forensic teams, including National Investigation Agency and Home Affairs officials according to reports, are reviewing CCTV footage and tightening site checks to rule out any security breach.
- HPCL said early findings point to a hydrocarbon leak at a heat‑exchanger valve or flange, with the blaze confined to the stack and major units isolated and structurally safe.
- The 9‑MMTPA HPCL‑Rajasthan project, a ₹79,450‑crore refinery‑petrochemical complex, is in a startup phase when introducing pressurised hydrocarbons often raises fire risk.