ONGC Gas Leak Enters Day 8; Assam CM Meets ONGC Chairman, Over 330 Families in Relief Camps, Suffer Health Issue

ONGC Gas Leak: CMHimanta Biswa Sarma has also expressed serious displeasure over ONGC’s casual and lax approach in handling the crisis.

The gas leak from ONGC’s well RDS 147A in Rudrasagar, Sivasagar district, has entered its eighth day with no signs yet of being brought under control. Over 330 families have been displaced and are currently sheltered in relief camps, battling sleeplessness, skin infections, and breathing problems.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh in Dispur yesterday to review the ongoing well control operations. The Chief Minister described the leak as a “serious concern” and assured ONGC of the state government’s full support in managing the crisis and ensuring public and environmental safety.

And Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also expressed serious displeasure over ONGC’s casual and lax approach in handling the crisis. In a strongly-worded letter to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Sarma criticised ONGC’s slow response, stating, “The local perception is one of inadequate urgency and seriousness… Unlike previous incidents handled with a war footing, the current approach appears procedural and lacking in visibility.”

It needs to be mentioned that, in a statement released yesterday, ONGC claimed that it is undertaking “focused operations” to control the gas blowout. The company said its internal well control experts are working round the clock, in constant consultation with an international well control agency whose team is being mobilised to the site.

ONGC added that a portion of the gas has been successfully diverted to a nearby production facility in a controlled manner. Additionally, continuous water blanketing of the well is being maintained as a safety measure.

Regarding environmental concerns, ONGC cited air quality data from the Pollution Control Board, Assam, stating that levels remain within the permissible limits under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The corporation also claimed that the released gas has been tested and confirmed to be non-toxic and lighter than air, reducing the risk of ground-level hazards.

Noise levels, it added, are being monitored and are within acceptable limits beyond a 500-metre radius.

Meanwhile, the leak has contaminated the air in the surrounding area, and 25 people, including a woman, have fallen ill. Four of them are now admitted to ICU at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.

Despite these assurances, public concern remains high, with affected families demanding more visible and urgent action.

Also Read: ONGC Gas Leak in Assam Day 7: 25 Fall Ill, 4 in ICU

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