Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into a fire that occurred at its Pachpadra refinery site in Rajasthan's Balotra district. The incident, which took place on Monday, April 20, 2026, has also led to the postponement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned inauguration of the facility.
According to HPCL, preliminary findings suggest the fire was caused by a leakage of hydrocarbons through a valve or flange within the heat exchanger circuit. The company confirmed that the blaze was localized to the heat exchangers stack and was swiftly brought under control by the refinery's emergency response team. Crucially, there were no reported casualties or injuries to personnel, and the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU) were quickly isolated, remaining structurally safe and unaffected.
PM Modi's Visit Postponed
The fire disrupted preparations for the much-anticipated inauguration of the refinery by Prime Minister Modi, originally scheduled for April 21, 2026. A new date for the event is expected to be announced soon.
Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas held discussions with the HPCL chairman regarding the incident and is visiting the site with a team of officials to review the situation. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma is also slated to conduct a comprehensive review at the refinery.
Significance of the Pachpadra Refinery
The Pachpadra refinery is a landmark project, representing India's first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex. Developed with an investment exceeding Rs 79,450 crore, its operational commencement is a significant step for the nation's energy sector. HPCL is currently assessing the financial and operational impact of the fire, though it is not anticipated to be material.
Despite the setback, HPCL's shares saw a slight increase, trading 1.77 percent higher at Rs 385.90 in Tuesday's late deals, reflecting a 20.88 percent jump over the past month.