GUWAHATI: The Pollution Control Board Assam (PCBA) has directed Oil India Limited (OIL) to close all production and drilling operations at Baghjan, where a blowout from one of its gas wells since May 27 triggered a blaze on June 9.
The PCBA has also asked the oil PSU to take all necessary measures for extinguishing the fire at Baghjan well number five, official sources here told The Shillong Times on Saturday.
The gas blowout and blaze, which is still raging, has displaced at least 7000 residents besides adversely affecting the bio-diversity of Maguri-Motapung Beel, a wetland which is a part of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
According to the closure notice issued by PCBA on Friday, OIL has been operating at its oil and gas installations “without obtaining prior consent to establish and consent to operate permission from the pollution control board, which is a serious violation of the provisions of the Water Act, 1974, Air Act, 1981 as well as Environment Protection Act, 1986.”
PCBA has levelled a series of charges against OIL, including operation of Baghjan oilfield without an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and operating drilling and production operations without taking proper safety and precautionary measures.
The PCBA had on June 10 issued a showcause notice to OIL and sought reply in a week’s time. Reportedly, OIL had requested extension of time. However, the pollution control board issued the closure notice to OIL on Friday.
“It is mandatory to obtain prior permission / clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forest and climate change, as well as the state pollution control board for production, drilling, pumping of crude oil and laying pipeline activities as per EIA notification, 2006 and various provisions under the Section 25/26 of the Water (Prevention of Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Section 21 of the Air (Prevention of Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Authorisation under the Hazardous & other waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 as amended up to date,” the notice read.
The closure notice comes at a time when a tripartite meeting was held between representatives of the Baghjan Gaon Milanjyoti Yuva Sangha, district administration and OIL was held in Tinsukia DC’s office on Saturday to resolve the blockade issue.
The Yuva Sangha, representing the residents of Baghjan who are housed in 12 relief camps, has sought immediate rehabilitation and maximum compensation as promised by the state government.