Assam: Pollution Control Board issues show-cause notice to ONGC

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: At a time when ONGC Ltd has been struggling hard to cap its oil well number RDS 147A, it has received a jolt from the Assam Pollution Control Board (APCB). The board has issued a notice to ONGC to show cause as to why it will not collect an Environmental Compensation Fine (ECF) against the violation of not obtaining the CTE (Consent to Establish)/CTO (Consent to Operate) of the rig that is leaking now.

The CTE/CTO is a type of authorisation required by industries and businesses from the state pollution control board before they can begin or continue their operations. This consent ensures that the operations comply with environmental regulations and standards related to water and air pollution.

“The Pollution Control Board is constrained to inform you that you have nonchalantly violated the provisions of law in force, causing pollution to the environment and exercising the powers conferred upon it under Section 33(A) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. You are directed to show cause within 15 days from the date of issue on this notice, while Environmental Compensation shall not be imposed on your unit.”   

Oil well number RDS 147A of ONGC started leaking on June 12, 2025, posing a serious threat to the local populace, besides polluting the air. The situation came to such a pass that the nearby residents had to flee their houses to safer areas.

At last, ONGC had to take the decision to cap the leaking well forever. A team of experts from the USA has been working to cap the well. According to sources, rains have been causing problems in the capping of the well. With the surge in floodwaters, ONGC teams have been actively working to keep the critical RCMT (Reliability-Centred Maintenance Turbine) pump operational, defying the odds. Since Friday, a three-member team of well control specialists from Cudd Well Control, USA, have been engaged with the ONGC team to control the gas blowout.

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