Dibrugarh, June 17: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday termed the ONGC gas leak at Bhatiapar in Sivasagar as a “very serious” incident, revealing that nearly 350 families have been affected and are currently living in relief camps.
Addressing a press conference in Dibrugarh, Sarma said, “We have decided to provide Rs 25,000 per affected family from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.” He clarified that this is only an interim relief measure, and additional compensation will be provided later.
The Chief Minister said the Assam Chief Secretary has already spoken with ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Arun Kumar Singh. In response to the escalating situation, ONGC has sought the expertise of a specialist from the United States to “kill the well” and control the leak.
Sarma also informed that he will be holding a video conference with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri later in the evening to review containment measures and discuss further support for affected families. “If needed, I will personally return to Sivasagar to assess the situation on the ground,” he said.
The Chief Minister had rushed to Sivasagar on Monday night to assess the gravity of the situation firsthand.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, in a post on X, said he had reviewed the well control operations at ONGC’s RDS#147A well. “The gas flow has continued for the past four days due to extraordinarily high pressure in the well,” he noted, adding that residents were evacuated on day one and are being given all necessary relief.
Puri said experienced personnel from various ONGC work centres have been mobilized, and high-capacity fire pumps, frack pumps, and other equipment are operating at the site. “High-tech methods like ‘junk pumping’ are being deployed, and ONGC officers are in constant touch with overseas experts. A water blanket is being maintained for cooling and to prevent fire,” he added.
Also Read: Leak continues at ONGC rig in Sivasagar; Gaurav Gogoi urges Centre to act swiftly
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
