Baghjan oil blowout | 12 Jun, 2020

It is a matter of great concern that the Baghjan blowout and the huge fire threatens the biodiversity of Dibru-Soikhowa National Park along with other animals and forests areas of nearby places. Moreover, it will impact soil, water bodies and further, livelihoods of the areas. The fire had already destroyed the Maguri beel, which was home to some of the rarest of the bird species. The incident of sudden and uncontrolled release of gas occurred from a well producing oil near Baghjan village on May 27 and the situation became worse on June 9, when the well caught fire. But the 'Oil India Limited' (OIL) and the government did give much attention on the incident or arrange modern technical instruments to control the situation at the beginning. Only for the negligence of the OIL, such types of horrible and pathetic incident took place at Baghjan. In 2005 also, a similar blowout occurred at Dikom of Dibrugarh district but at that time too, the OIL authority failed to control the fire. As such, a number of Russian experts were hired to solve the problem. At last, the situation was under control and extinguished the fire after 20 days. But surprisingly, the OIL authority did not learn any lesson from that incident and till today, they do not have proper and adequate measure or technical equipment to control such types of huge fire. When these types of incidents occur, they have the habit to look at foreign experts for help. Though the OIL is rich in monetary matter but they are very poor in modern fire extinguishing technology or experts. The OIL authority must give much attention on this chapter and make itself strong enough by procuring such types disaster management devices and try to save the nature as well as livelihoods.

Rupak G. Duarah,

Rajahnagar, Guwahati 

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 8th June, 2020