Assam Gasoline Leak: Environmental Watchdog Hits ONGC With Regulatory Motion
Guwahati: Within the wake of the June 12 fuel leak at Rudrasagar oilfield at in Sivasagar district that’s owned by the Oil and Pure Gasoline Fee, the Assam Air pollution Management Board (PCBA) has issued a show-cause discover to the ONGC. The corporate stands accused of working Nicely No. 147 with out securing obligatory environmental permits equivalent to Consent to Set up (CTE) and Consent to Function (CTO).
The leak compelled the displacement of practically 350 households, and the federal government, together with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has requested the ONGC to completely seal the properly. The oil and fuel producer, in the meantime, has introduced that the fuel stream has slowed down and a world specialist staff, flown in from america, is now engaged on the positioning.
Throughout a June 21 inspection, the PCBA uncovered unauthorised operations on the Rudrasagar web site, leading to breaches of the Water (Prevention & Management of Air pollution) Act of 1974, the Air (Prevention & Management of Air pollution) Act of 1981 and the Hazardous and Different Wastes Guidelines of 2016.
“This discover reinforces that each firm, no matter its status, should observe environmental legal guidelines,” a PCBA official acknowledged.
The ONGC has 15 days to offer a response or face authorized penalties, doubtlessly together with Environmental Compensation Fines, underneath a 2019 ruling by the Nationwide Inexperienced Tribunal.
Repeated warnings from the PCBA about acquiring correct clearances reportedly went unheeded. A staff inspection confirmed ongoing, uncontrolled emissions from the properly, elevating alarms about air high quality and public well being within the area.
The ONGC confirmed that fuel strain on the web site has considerably dropped and that the joint job pressure, together with ONGC’s Regional Disaster Administration Group and the US specialists, is working around the clock. An additional-long increase crane was mobilised from Guwahati to assist dismantle rig parts forward of sealing the properly.
Residents impacted by the leak are nonetheless displaced, and native well being officers are monitoring air high quality, nervous about potential long-term publicity results. This incident highlights the problem of balancing vitality growth with environmental safeguards and group well-being.
Whereas the ONGC focuses on containment and closure, the PCBA’s motion highlights a broader concern – even main vitality companies should stay accountable and clear of their operations. As sealing operations transfer ahead, authorities and affected households shall be carefully watching to make sure that this catastrophe prompts actual change.
