Barmer/Balotra, April 24 -- A major fire erupted at the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery site in Pachpadra on Monday, triggering panic across the facility just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to inaugurate the project. In view of the situation, the PM's visit has been deferred, said the Union petroleum ministry, adding that the revised date will be "announced in due course." "Due to an unfortunate fire incident today in the vicinity of the Crude Distillation Unit at the HRRL refinery, the scheduled dedication of the refinery by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 21.04.2026 has been postponed. The fire has been brought under control. There are no reports of any casualties. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause(s) of the incident and to undertake necessary remedial measures. A revised date for the dedication will be announced in due course," said the ministry in an X post. The blaze broke out around 2pm in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), a critical section where crude oil from pipelines is processed and distributed to other units. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as flames engulfed the key unit, visible from several kilometres away and setting off alarms in nearby areas. Chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached the spot and took stock of the situation. "The incident of fire breaking out at the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery located in Pachpadra is extremely unfortunate. In this regard, detailed information about the situation has been obtained through swift discussions with administrative officials and refinery management. Currently, the situation is fully under control," said Sharma. Station house officer of Pachpadra, Achla Ram, said, "Prima facie, there was some technical fault that caused the fire around 2 pm at the refinery. At least 30 to 35 fire brigades were sent to the spot. The fire is under control now. We are examining the area. The reason of the fire will be ascertained after the investigation." Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot as soon as they received information about the blaze and began efforts to control it, said SHO Ram. Flames continued to rise for nearly two hours, after which the fire was largely brought under control, officials said. Around 10 to 12 fire brigade units simultaneously sprayed water to contain the fire and blaze was mostly controlled after about two hours. The refinery's in-house fire safety system activated immediately, with fire brigade teams and hydrant systems deployed to douse the blaze, officials said. Workers were evacuated, the area was cleared as a precaution, and senior refinery officials, along with the district administration, monitored developments. No injuries or casualties have been reported. Officials said the exact cause and extent of damage will be assessed once the situation is fully under control. Security has been heightened ahead of the PM's visit. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot called the refinery a matter of pride for Rajasthanis and the incident "extremely unfortunate", especially a day before its inauguration. He prayed for the safety of those at the site. Barmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal termed the incident "highly concerning" and highlighted safety risks to workers. The MP called the episode unfortunate, saying it raises serious questions, including the possibility of negligence. He demanded a high-level, impartial and time-bound probe to determine the cause and fix accountability, while urging HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited management and authorities to ensure swift action, prevent loss of life or major damage, and appealing to the public to stay calm and cooperate with relief efforts. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully on Monday termed the fire at the Pachpadra refinery in Balotra "extremely serious and concerning," questioning safety and preparedness just ahead of its inauguration. In a social media post, Jully said the incident, a day before the PM's visit, "raises serious doubts over the government's hurried arrangements." Jully alleged the BJP stalled the project for years, driving up costs, and claimed the fire shows it remains incomplete. "It appears the inauguration is being rushed for publicity purposes," he said. Targeting the CM, Jully criticised the focus on "optics and marketing" over ground-level preparedness, calling the blaze not just an accident but "serious negligence" by the government. Addressing the media, BJP district president Bharat Modi said that the fire was brought under control promptly and was caused by a technical fault. "Instead of creating panic or engaging in a blame game, people should remain patient and focus on the nation's progress." The BJP leader refused to comment on the Congress party's allegations, saying that it is not appropriate to politicise the issue....