GUWAHATI, June 18: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has sharply criticized Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for its “inadequate and procedural” response to the ongoing gas blowout at well RDS-147A in Barichuk-Bhatiapar, Sivasagar district. The blowout, which occurred on June 12 during routine servicing operations, remains unresolved, prompting the Chief Minister to raise the issue directly with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
In a letter dated June 17, Sarma expressed deep concern over ONGC’s failure to contain the high-pressure gas leak despite deploying water blanketing, high-volume mud pumping, and junk shots. Over 330 families have already been evacuated from nearby villages and are currently staying in state-run relief camps.
Calling the response “lacking in urgency and visibility,” Sarma compared it unfavorably to previous blowouts which were handled with greater speed and seriousness. “The prolonged nature of the incident is causing considerable distress,” he noted.
Sarma, who visited the affected site and relief camps on June 16, assured the displaced families of full state support. He urged the central government to immediately direct ONGC to step up its technical efforts and leadership presence at the site. He also stressed the importance of ONGC engaging directly with local communities to rebuild public confidence.
The Chief Minister called for a “mission-mode approach” to contain the crisis and mitigate its growing impact on the region’s residents.
