OUR CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR: The gas leak from ONGC’s RDS-147 rig in Bhatiapar, Sivasagar, continued unabated for the fourth consecutive day, raising growing concerns over the company’s inability to bring the situation under control. ONGC has so far failed to cap the well, and a strong smell of gas continues to spread across nearby areas.
On Sunday, Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi once again visited the gas leak site at Bhatiapar Bari Chuk to assess the ongoing crisis. He held discussions with senior ONGC officials and later briefed the media. Gogoi stated that ONGC might need another three days to begin containing the leak and that full control could take significantly longer.
Amid the ongoing crisis, a positive development emerged with the discovery of a significant gas reserve in the Bhatiapar Bari Chuk area, particularly in wells RDS-147 and SKP-135. Experts believe the reserve has the potential to meet Assam’s gas needs for the next 25 to 30 years, Gogoi revealed. MLA Gogoi also raised the issue of compensation for the affected families with ONGC authorities. He assured that both the district administration and ONGC have committed to arranging compensation and support for those impacted.
Meanwhile, the gas leak, which began during routine operations at the ONGC rig, triggered an emergency response coordinated by the Sivasagar district administration. Immediate containment measures were launched to stabilize the situation and ensure safety. Fire brigades from both ONGC and the State Fire Services, along with personnel from civil defence and emergency services, have been deployed to the site. Special ONGC teams are also involved in the effort.
Under the supervision of the District Commissioner, the administration is working to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of workers and the environment in the surrounding areas. A total of 70 families from the affected zone have been relocated to a relief camp set up at Bongaon High School. The administration has ensured the provision of food, clean drinking water, and medical care at the camp. The Public Health Engineering Department is supplying safe water, while the Health Department has established health camps. The Social Welfare Department is supporting the affected children, and the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department is ensuring the wellbeing of livestock in the region.
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