Balotra refinery fire: NIA halts dome dismantling as probe deepens

JAISALMER: Six days after a massive fire at an under-construction refinery in Pachpadra in Balotra district, the incident continues to raise serious concerns. While the smoke has cleared, questions about the cause of the blaze remain unresolved.

Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit was cancelled on the day of the fire, work began to dismantle the three large domes set up at the event venue. However, in a sudden development, orders were issued at a higher level to temporarily halt the dismantling of certain sections of these domes.

According to sources, the decision was taken following the intervention of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central security agencies. The domes have now been included in the investigation, and instructions have been given to keep them intact to allow a detailed examination.

As a Prime Minister’s visit is treated as a matter of the highest security priority, the fire at a sensitive site such as a refinery—especially just hours before the scheduled arrival—has been taken very seriously by security agencies. Reports suggest the fire broke out nearly 20 hours before the Prime Minister was to inaugurate the refinery at the site.

Agencies are also probing whether the fire was deliberately triggered. The decision not to dismantle certain parts of the domes suggests investigators are trying to gather forensic evidence from the site.

A Balotra police official said that after the Prime Minister’s visit was cancelled, orders were issued at a higher level to temporarily halt the dismantling of specific sections of the domes. He clarified that the restriction does not apply to all parts—only those under investigation have been sealed for the time being.

“All security agencies are conducting a thorough probe, keeping every possible angle in mind,” he said.

Meanwhile, police have intensified the verification of external workers, engineers and staff at the refinery. Although this process had already been underway for some time, it has now been strengthened further following the fire.

The developments highlight the seriousness of the case, as multiple agencies continue their detailed investigation into one of the most significant industrial incidents in the region.


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