Baghjan fire
Baghjan fire.

Environment Impact Assessment study is in progress by M/s ERM India Pvt Limited, a NABET accredited consultant to carry out the Environment and Ecological survey within the vicinity of Baghjan 5 including Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Maguri–Motapung Beel in Assam.

The locals of Baghjan claimed that after the entire biodiversity of Maguri-Motapung area including Dibru-Saikhowa National park was affected due to pollution.

“After the blowout at Baghjan 5 oil well rig, the condensate/ oil were spread everywhere. The oil/ condensate were continuously leaking from the site. Many fish including one river Dolphin were died due to the pollution. The blowout has adversely affected the surrounding environment,” said Bijay Gogoi, an environmentalist.

“Arrangements for placing the equipment for monitoring of air quality and noise level is underway by TERI team. The biomaterial sample developed in-house by R&D Department of OIL has been handed over to TERI for its mass production at TERI center at New Delhi,” OIL press statement stated.

Meanwhile, the team from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat reached Tinsukia on Wednesday  to study tremor report using seismological technique. Installation of 5 seismometer stations commenced on Thursday and recce to be conducted for additional site under guidance of district authorities.

A team from M/s SPA, Mumbai visited well site on Wednesday to assess the site for placing Breathing Air Cascade system for safety of working personnel during well capping operation.

A total of 15 number of trucks loaded with materials for Bailey Bridge mobilized from 3 Corps Indian Army, Misamari, Tezpur reached Baghjan and preliminary work has started.

Vehicles carrying second load of Equipment/Materials mobilized from ONGC–Rajamundry & ONGC- Vadodara are in transit.

Fabrication of 10 numbers of heat shields for Indian Army personnel is completed and fabrication of additional numbers of heat shields is in progress at OIL’s Engineering Workshop. Erection of heat shield in front of debris area is in progress.

“Due to stoppage/blockades, there was production loss of 406 MT of Crude Oil and 0.64 MMSCM of Natural Gas as reported on 17-06-2020. Operations were disrupted in 31 Oil wells and 5 gas wells. Cumulative production loss since 27th May, 2020 due to bandhs and blockades: 6538 MT Crude oil, 8.61 MMSCM of natural gas,” said an OIL press statement.

However, after 22 days of the blowout at Baghjan 5 Oil well, the fire is still coming out from the site.

The experts are working to control the fire from the site.

Already, six experts from Alert Disaster Control are working to control the fire from the rig.

Experts claimed that it would take time to control the fire which is continuously coming out from the Baghjan 5 Oil rig.

Avik Chakraborty is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dibrugarh. He can be reached at: [email protected]