May 18, 2026
. PACHPADRA/JAISALMER/NEW DELHI: A day before PM Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate Pachpadra refinery in Balotra district of Rajasthan, a massive fire engulfed its core processing units around 1:55 pm on Monday, prompting authorities to order a probe.Fire broke out in the vicinity of the crude distillation unit (CDU) at HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL), ministry of petroleum and natural gas said in a post on X. “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,” it said.The ministry said the fire was brought under control promptly by the refinery’s emergency response team with support from the local administration, and there were no reports of any casualties or injuries.Prima facie, the fire appeared to have been caused by the leakage of hydrocarbons from a valve or flange in the heat exchanger circuit, officials said. They added that the blaze remained localised to the heat exchanger stack within the CDU section. The crude distillation unit, vacuum distillation unit and other associated units were quickly isolated, and all are structurally safe and unaffected. No other part of the refinery complex suffered any impact.Most of the 200-odd workers engaged in the units were having lunch when the fire broke out, said an official at the refinery. “More than 100 fire tenders were deployed to contain the massive blaze. By 2.30 pm, the raging fire was brought under control,” said a witness.The HRRL refinery is a joint venture between state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Rajasthan govt, with equity participation of 74 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. The Union cabinet had, earlier this month, approved the cost escalation of the greenfield integrated refinery-petrochemical complex from Rs 43,129 crore to Rs 79,459 crore, and had said commercial operations were likely to start from July 1.The inauguration had been postponed from March 19 to April 21. It could have ended the cost escalation that the project had seen since its foundation stone was first laid by Sonia Gandhi in 2013, and then for a second time by PM Modi in 2018.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123Photostories6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts10 Vedic baby girl names that begin with letter V123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh Murderh-1b VisasTrumpJapan Earthquake

. PACHPADRA/JAISALMER/NEW DELHI: A day before PM Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate Pachpadra refinery in Balotra district of Rajasthan, a massive fire engulfed its core processing units around 1:55 pm on Monday, prompting authorities to order a probe.Fire broke out in the vicinity of the crude distillation unit (CDU) at HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL), ministry of petroleum and natural gas said in a post on X. “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,” it said.The ministry said the fire was brought under control promptly by the refinery’s emergency response team with support from the local administration, and there were no reports of any casualties or injuries.Prima facie, the fire appeared to have been caused by the leakage of hydrocarbons from a valve or flange in the heat exchanger circuit, officials said. They added that the blaze remained localised to the heat exchanger stack within the CDU section. The crude distillation unit, vacuum distillation unit and other associated units were quickly isolated, and all are structurally safe and unaffected. No other part of the refinery complex suffered any impact.Most of the 200-odd workers engaged in the units were having lunch when the fire broke out, said an official at the refinery. “More than 100 fire tenders were deployed to contain the massive blaze. By 2.30 pm, the raging fire was brought under control,” said a witness.The HRRL refinery is a joint venture between state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Rajasthan govt, with equity participation of 74 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. The Union cabinet had, earlier this month, approved the cost escalation of the greenfield integrated refinery-petrochemical complex from Rs 43,129 crore to Rs 79,459 crore, and had said commercial operations were likely to start from July 1.The inauguration had been postponed from March 19 to April 21. It could have ended the cost escalation that the project had seen since its foundation stone was first laid by Sonia Gandhi in 2013, and then for a second time by PM Modi in 2018.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123Photostories6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts10 Vedic baby girl names that begin with letter V123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh Murderh-1b VisasTrumpJapan Earthquake

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

PACHPADRA/JAISALMER/NEW DELHI: A day before PM Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate Pachpadra refinery in Balotra district of Rajasthan, a massive fire engulfed its core processing units around 1:55 pm on Monday, prompting authorities to order a probe.Fire broke out in the vicinity of the crude distillation unit (CDU) at HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL),…

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Quote of the day by Mark Twain: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not…”

Quote of the day by Mark Twain: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not…”

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, is one of the most admired writers and humorists in American literature. He has been admired for his sharp wit, honest observations and ability to express deep truths in simple words. With his iconic novels, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, he portrayed aspects…

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‘Kash Patel does not drink to excess’: 19-page lawsuit against Atlantic for 0 million details why FBI director ‘freaked out’

‘Kash Patel does not drink to excess’: 19-page lawsuit against Atlantic for $250 million details why FBI director ‘freaked out’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Kash Patel’s lawsuit against The Atlantic details that the FBI director does not drink to excess, as claimed by the report. The 19-page lawsuit that FBI director Kash Patel filed against the Atlantic and its journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, over their article on Patel’s drinking problem, which it said is a cause of concern for the…

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Chinese researchers turn desert sand into fertile soil in just 10 months using cyanobacteria

Chinese researchers turn desert sand into fertile soil in just 10 months using cyanobacteria

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The researchers at the Shapotou Desert Experimental Research Station in China have developed a revolutionary approach for reversing desertification and converting barren, shifting sand into productive land within only 10 months. Using cyanobacteria, which are specialised, photosynthetic microorganisms, the researchers have created biological soil crusts that form a living layer on the surface of the…

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CDS general Chauhan in UK to deepen military cooperation, boost defence industry partnerships | India News

CDS general Chauhan in UK to deepen military cooperation, boost defence industry partnerships | India News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Chief of defence staff general Anil Chauhan is currently on a three-day visit to Britain to deepen military cooperation and boost defence industry partnerships between India and the UK.This is the first official visit by an Indian CDS to Britain and marks the fifth senior UK-India military engagement this year, following the UK…

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Twitch streamer PlaqueBoyMax reveals he got a vasectomy after pregnancy scare, sparks online debate

Twitch streamer PlaqueBoyMax reveals he got a vasectomy after pregnancy scare, sparks online debate

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

According to popular Twitch streamer PlaqueBoyMax, he just got his vasectomy done because of a pregnancy scare. The 23-year-old streamer made a video revealing his experience which went viral on several social media sites. He explained that the decision came after what he described as a “slip-up” during a break from celibacy, which led to…

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India-flagged vessels stuck in Persian Gulf asked to transit only when directed to ensure safety | India News

India-flagged vessels stuck in Persian Gulf asked to transit only when directed to ensure safety | India News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: After the firing incident on two Indian vessels by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 18, “Indian Navy is prioritising security for all Indian vessels stranded and waiting to cross the Strait of Hormuz”, defence sources confirmed to TOI. “All Indian-flagged cargo ships in the Persian Gulf have also been asked…

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Indian migration agent banned for five years in Australia for lying on visa applications: ‘Not a person of integrity’

Indian migration agent banned for five years in Australia for lying on visa applications: ‘Not a person of integrity’

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Vaneet Kaur Chadha banned for 5 years An Indian migration agent in Australia has been banned for five years after authorities found she submitted false information in visa applications and breached multiple professional rules, reports the Noticer. Vaneet Kaur Chadha worked with Sydney-based Royal Migration & Education Consultants and had her registration cancelled last month…

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. NEW DELHI: The government is likely to issue a fresh notification for laying down the test requirements for vehicles that can run on almost 100 per cent ethanol (E100) and petrol, a move that would encourage automobile manufacturers to produce Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).While the road transport ministry, in December 2022, had notified the “applicability of test requirements” for vehicles that can run on E5 to E85 per cent fuel, a draft notification to replace the condition of E85 to “E85 or more” was issued on June 27, 2025. But the final notification could not be issued within the stipulated six months, and the process lapsed. It was during this period that a controversy had broken out over the impact of ethanol-blended fuel on the mileage of vehicles and the increased requirement of maintenance.TOI has learnt that with the focus now back on promoting alternative fuels in the light of the ongoing West Asia crisis, the government is set to publish the new draft notification to seek feedback from stakeholders before going ahead with the plan.Though most of the vehicle manufacturers have come up with prototypes of FFVs, commercial production is yet to begin. Engines that are designed to run on E100 can operate on lower ethanol blends from E20 onwards.Meanwhile, the petroleum and natural gas ministry has held two rounds of meetings with vehicle manufacturers on FFVs.TOI on March 30 had reported that the OEMs, in the first round, had flagged the need to address consumer concerns, particularly to lower fuel costs, considering that ethanol-fueled vehicles give less mileage.The industry sought a clear roadmap about the fuel stations that would dispense ethanol, compensation for mileage loss, which is around 27-30 per cent less than petrol, and an incentive for people to buy FFVs, considering these are expensive. Last year petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had written to FM Nirmala Sitharaman seeking GST parity of FFVs with EVs. Currently, the GST for FFVs is 28 per cent compared to only 5 per cent for EVs.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123Photostories6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts10 Vedic baby girl names that begin with letter V123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

. NEW DELHI: The government is likely to issue a fresh notification for laying down the test requirements for vehicles that can run on almost 100 per cent ethanol (E100) and petrol, a move that would encourage automobile manufacturers to produce Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).While the road transport ministry, in December 2022, had notified the “applicability of test requirements” for vehicles that can run on E5 to E85 per cent fuel, a draft notification to replace the condition of E85 to “E85 or more” was issued on June 27, 2025. But the final notification could not be issued within the stipulated six months, and the process lapsed. It was during this period that a controversy had broken out over the impact of ethanol-blended fuel on the mileage of vehicles and the increased requirement of maintenance.TOI has learnt that with the focus now back on promoting alternative fuels in the light of the ongoing West Asia crisis, the government is set to publish the new draft notification to seek feedback from stakeholders before going ahead with the plan.Though most of the vehicle manufacturers have come up with prototypes of FFVs, commercial production is yet to begin. Engines that are designed to run on E100 can operate on lower ethanol blends from E20 onwards.Meanwhile, the petroleum and natural gas ministry has held two rounds of meetings with vehicle manufacturers on FFVs.TOI on March 30 had reported that the OEMs, in the first round, had flagged the need to address consumer concerns, particularly to lower fuel costs, considering that ethanol-fueled vehicles give less mileage.The industry sought a clear roadmap about the fuel stations that would dispense ethanol, compensation for mileage loss, which is around 27-30 per cent less than petrol, and an incentive for people to buy FFVs, considering these are expensive. Last year petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had written to FM Nirmala Sitharaman seeking GST parity of FFVs with EVs. Currently, the GST for FFVs is 28 per cent compared to only 5 per cent for EVs.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123Photostories6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts10 Vedic baby girl names that begin with letter V123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to issue a fresh notification for laying down the test requirements for vehicles that can run on almost 100 per cent ethanol (E100) and petrol, a move that would encourage automobile manufacturers to produce Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).While the road transport ministry, in December 2022, had notified the “applicability of…

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Why your wooden cutting board is cracking and the simple kitchen essential that can save it |

Why your wooden cutting board is cracking and the simple kitchen essential that can save it |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Wooden cutting boards, prized for their knife-friendliness and natural beauty, face deterioration due to moisture cycles. This repeated wetting and drying causes fibre separation and cracking The timelessness of a solid wood cutting board set upon the countertop speaks for itself with its durability and gentleness towards expensive chef knives, not to mention that it…

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Shefali Bagga shuts dating rumours with Yuzvendra Chahal; wants a guy like Virat Kohli: ‘You can see his love for Anushka Sharma’

Shefali Bagga shuts dating rumours with Yuzvendra Chahal; wants a guy like Virat Kohli: ‘You can see his love for Anushka Sharma’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Sports presenter Shefali Bagga, who is also known for her participation in Bigg Boss 13, has reacted strongly to ongoing speculation linking her to cricketers, making it clear that she’s “fed up” with the assumptions drawn from brief public appearances.In a recent chat with Filmygyan, Shefali addressed rumours with Yuzvendra Chahal sparked by a viral…

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Cancer Horoscope Today, April 21, 2026: If you’re in a relationship, your partner will enjoy your soft side

Cancer Horoscope Today, April 21, 2026: If you’re in a relationship, your partner will enjoy your soft side

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Seize today’s opportunity for astute financial decisions as Jupiter and the Moon advocate for secure investments, such as fixed deposits or reviewing your insurance policies. Your ability to communicate effectively will draw admiration, enhancing your professional and personal connections. Be prepared for unexpected visitors; welcoming them with open arms will create joyful moments. This day…

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