The Congress has accused union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan of ignoring oil well fire at Baghjan in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
Assam Congress president Ripun Bora on Tuesday wrote to union minister Pradhan asking him for ‘immediate intervention by his ministry by deploying of expert team to control the situation at Baghjan.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
On Tuesday, a massive fire engulfed the Baghjan oil well, which had been leaking gas “uncontrollably” for the last 14 days, after a massive blow out at the Oil India Limited (OIL)’s oilfield on May 27.
“It is to be mentioned that this leakage is going on nonstop for last 14 days creating panic and danger to the life and property of the people living surrounding of the area,” Bora said.
He said the leakage of natural gas extensively damaged large area of agriculture, contaminated the river water Wing large number or fish and other animals affecting the bio-diversity of the region and causing serious air pollution.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Bora alleged that neither Pradhan, who leads the ministry, nor any of his senior officials, visited the spot.
“It is very surprising and unfortunate that till now neither you nor any senior officials from the Petroleum ministry visited the spot to take stock of the situation in spite of the fact that the incident has become a serious concern worldwide,” the letter read.
Bor asked minister Pradhan to visit the spot along with senior officials of his Ministry to see the situation physically and to direct Oil India Ltd to pay adequate compensation to all the affected persons in the area because of this incident.
The fire has spread in the nearby villages and six people have been injured.