Andhra villagers wary of flames from oil rig, want closure of ONGC plant

Villagers in Alamaru in Penumantra Mandal, where Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited has recently set up an oil rig have made an appeal to the government to remove the plant from the area.

Fearful of the flames that have been rising from the oil rig, anxious villagers say they are afraid that it might catch fire and pose a threat to their lives. They also recollected past incidents of blowouts which caused deaths of many and said no official has come forward to assuage their fears or provide any clarification.

“Since the past 15 days, flames are coming out from ONGC rig. All the people are afraid, even small children are crying.