Assam Gas Leak and Fire: NGT directs OIL to pay Rs 25 crore deposit in connection to Baghjan tragedy

The National Green Tribunal Thursday directed government-owned Oil India Limited (OIL) to deposit an initial amount of Rs 25 crore to Assam’s Tinsukia district administration, after hearing two petitions in connection with the Baghjan blowout tragedy.

The ecological disaster at Baghjan in Tinsukia district was precipitated by a blowout at well number 5, reported on May 27. On June 9, the well—located close to the Dibru-Saikhowa national park—caught fire, leading to the deaths of two OIL firefighters. Around 11,000 people from the surrounding villages are now in relief camps set up by the administration. Both the Central and state governments have instituted inquiries to probe the incident.