Assam CM seeks Air force deployment to douse Oilwell fire

GUWAHATI: With massive fire engulfing the gas bearing well of Oil India LimitedNSE -1.63 % in Baghjan in Upper Assam, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to deploy Air Force for controlling the fire in the oilfield.

Oil’s well faced blow out on May 27 last, Sonowal telephoned Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to inform him about the explosion at the Baghjan oilfields and the resultant fire engulfing the area. Chief Minister urged the Union Petroleum Minister to take urgent steps for putting out the fire at the earliest while also directing the Tinsukia district administration and police to take necessary measures for safeguarding the interest of the local people of the affected area. He also called Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to deploy Air Force for controlling the fire in the oilfields.