Guwahati: Today, at wee hours, a gas leak was reported in Baghjan area, after suspected miscreants allegedly attempted to steal oil by cutting an Oil India Limited (OIL) pipeline.
The incident reportedly occurred at around 2.40 am near Baghjan Dighaltarang Higher Secondary School and Rupkonwar Jatiya Vidyalaya. According to local reports, the suspected oil theft attempt damaged the petroleum pipeline, triggering a continuous gas leak from the line.
OIL security personnel were reportedly present at the site, while officials and technical teams were yet to arrive to assess the situation and take measures to contain the leak.
The incident has sparked concern among local residents, who fear a recurrence of the 2020 Baghjan blowout, one of Assam’s major industrial disasters. The 2020 incident involved an uncontrolled gas leak at OIL’s Baghjan oilfield that continued for several months, causing extensive environmental damage and affecting nearby communities.
Security team are expected to assess the damage, secure the pipeline and take immediate steps to contain the leak.