Guwahati, June 18: The gas blowout at ONGC’s RDS#147A rig in Bhotiapar, Sivasagar district, entered its seventh day on Wednesday with no significant change in the situation. Gas continues to leak from the well, while panic, health concerns, and public frustration mount.
The crisis has already turned tragic. On June 16, an elderly woman with pre-existing heart conditions died, reportedly aggravated by the toxic environment and stress. Three other villagers — Barnali Gogoi, Mitil Das, and Umesh Baruah — fell ill after exposure to gas emissions and relentless noise from the well site. All three are undergoing treatment.
Though ONGC has publicly claimed the situation is “under control,” local residents say otherwise, citing a lack of visible progress and a sense of abandonment. More than 350 villagers are directly impacted, facing health risks and disruptions to daily life.
In response to growing concern, the Sivasagar district administration has ramped up relief measures, including setting up a relief camp in Bongao village and offering food, drinking water, and medical support. The site has been declared off-limits to unauthorized personnel to prevent further exposure and safeguard emergency responders.
ONGC’s disaster management team, along with fire and emergency services, is on-site using advanced containment equipment. The company has announced that the next phase of its control operation will begin on Saturday morning.
A statement from ONGC headquarters in New Delhi said its in-house well control experts are working around the clock, and consultations with an international well control agency are ongoing. The agency’s team is being mobilised to the site to strengthen efforts.
The oil company also claimed that a portion of the gas is now being diverted to a nearby production facility, and water blanketing is being maintained at the wellhead as a precaution.
As per the Pollution Control Board, Assam, air quality monitoring has found that parameters remain within permissible limits under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). ONGC said the released gas, primarily 97% methane, is non-toxic and disperses rapidly into the atmosphere due to its low density.
The company added that noise levels are being monitored and remain within acceptable limits beyond a 500-metre radius from the well.
Despite these reassurances, tensions remain high on the ground, with affected villagers demanding faster action, transparent communication, and accountability. With no immediate resolution, authorities continue to monitor the crisis as containment efforts struggle to catch up.
