Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Doomdooma: Six years after the 2020 oil blowout, residents of Baghjan in Assam’s Tinsukia district say fear, pollution and uncertainty continue to shape life in the region as hydrocarbon exploration continues.
Multiple drilling sites, heavy vehicle movement, industrial noise and a persistent chemical odour have altered the character of what was once an ecologically sensitive region, residents and environmentalists said.
Baghjan, located near the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and the Maguri-Motapung Beel, was earlier known for its forests, grasslands and wetlands that supported rich biodiversity and wildlife.
To the west flows the Brahmaputra, which brings recurring floods and erosion during the monsoon. Residents said drilling operations at South Maguri Beel, North Dighaltarang Tea Estate and near the Baghjan police station have raised concerns over safety and connectivity in the event of another incident.
“I don’t understand what kind of development is taking place in Baghjan. Thousands of us still live in bamboo houses, struggling every day for survival while dreaming of basic healthcare and quality education,” said Shambhu, who runs a stall near a tea factory.
A local conservationist questioned whether adequate lessons had been learnt from the 2020 disaster and said fresh drilling was continuing without comprehensive studies on long-term impact.
Most residents depend on tea garden labour and small-scale farming for their livelihood.
A blowout at Oil India Limited’s Well No. 5 on May 27, 2020 escalated into a fire on June 9. The blaze continued for over five months before it was capped on November 15.
The incident claimed three lives, damaged houses and displaced around 1,600 families. It also caused damage to the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and the Maguri-Motapung Beel.
Environmentalists and residents have called for stricter safety compliance, detailed impact assessments and greater involvement of local communities before further expansion of oil and gas operations.
Residents said concerns over environmental damage and industrial risks persist as exploration activities continue in and around Baghjan.