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

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has shots of a stern letter to Petroleum Minister flagging ONGC’s lax approach

The ONGC well blowout in Rudrasagar area of Sivasagar distrcit of Assam has taken a critical turn on Wednesday, the seventh gas of the gas leak. 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 in ICU at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.

Concerned, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday shot off a strongly worded letter to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighting ONGC’s lackadaisical approach. CM Sarma wrote,“The local perception is one of inadequate urgency and seriousness in ONGC’s response. Unlike previous incidents handled with a war-footing, the current approach appears procedural and lacking in visibility unquote. CM Sarma urged the Petroleum Minister to direct ONGC to reinforce its technical and leadership presence on the site, adopt a mission mode approach and step up engagement with the affected people to restore confidence and bring the situation under control at the earliest.

ONGC CMD, Arun Kumar Singh on Wednesday visited the blowout site. But, despite tall claims by top ONGC officials, the public sector behemoth has failed to contain the spill that is now threatening peoples’ lives.

Multiple attempts by Crisis Management Team of the company have failed.
The central PSU is also roping in an expert from the US to plug the blowout in the gas well in Sivasagar district. But looks like this is coming too late.

The blowout took place on June 12 at well no. RDS 147A of rig no. SKP 135 of Rudrasagar oil field of ONGC at Barichuk in Bhatiapar. A private firm, SK Petro Services, was operating the well on behalf of the state-run Maharatna company.

Also Read: ONGC Gas Leak Day 7: Concerned with ONGC’s Lax Approach, Assam CM Writes to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri

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