Fire Breaks Out at Jammu-Katra Expressway Plant, Causing ₹2 Crore Loss

A serious fire broke out on Tuesday night at a construction store near the village of Khizarpur in the Talwandi Chaudhrian area of Kapurthala district, where the Jammu-Katra Expressway is being developed. The fire caused extensive damage, with losses estimated at nearly ₹2 crore.

According to officials, the fire started inside the store, which housed expensive chemicals and construction materials. The blaze rapidly spread, engulfing the entire stock and causing significant financial damage.

Fire brigade teams rushed to the scene and worked diligently to bring the fire under control. Local police personnel from the Talwandi Chaudhrian police station also assisted in firefighting efforts, ensuring the safety of nearby areas.

The store manager, Mandeep Singh, reported that the store was closed around 7 PM and all the lights were turned off. A security guard on duty noticed smoke emerging from the store around 8 PM and immediately alerted the authorities. However, by the time the response teams arrived, the fire had already spread extensively.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit could have triggered the fire, although authorities have not ruled out any other possibilities. Police and fire officials have launched a formal inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incident.

The loss of costly chemicals and materials has caused a major setback to the Jammu-Katra Expressway construction project. Authorities are reviewing safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.