Prolonged Gas Leak from ONGC Pipeline Triggers Panic in Sivasagar Village

NAZIRA, September 7, 2026 — Panic has gripped residents of Bhakat Bhajani village under Shilakuti Mouza in Sivasagar district following a prolonged gas leak from an ONGC pipeline passing through agricultural land in the area.

According to local residents, gas has been escaping continuously from a ruptured pipeline for nearly one and a half months, raising concerns over public safety, health and the possible impact on agricultural land.

The affected pipeline connects the Dimowal Gas Gathering Station (GGS) with the Lakwa GGS. Residents said the same pipeline developed a leak around four months ago, when gas reportedly continued to escape for several days, causing fear among people living nearby.

Following the earlier incident, ONGC personnel reportedly carried out temporary repairs and stopped the leakage for some time. However, residents allege that the pipeline has again ruptured at the same location and has been leaking continuously for nearly one and a half months.

Local residents claim they have repeatedly informed ONGC authorities about the latest leakage, but allege that no permanent remedial measures have been taken so far. The reported inaction has fuelled resentment in the village, with residents expressing concern over the potential risks posed by the continuing gas release.

The persistent smell of escaping gas has reportedly made life difficult for people in the locality. Farmers are also concerned about the possible impact on nearby agricultural fields and crops.

The incident has raised broader questions over the maintenance and safety of oil and gas pipelines in the Dimowal and Lakwa oilfield areas. Residents allege that several pipelines carrying crude oil and natural gas in the region have remained in operation despite, according to them, having exceeded their scheduled maintenance periods.

Villagers also claim that similar incidents of oil and gas leakage have occurred in the area in the past, causing public alarm and allegedly affecting agricultural land.

Residents have urged ONGC to immediately inspect the damaged pipeline, stop the leakage and carry out permanent repairs. They have also called for regular safety inspections and the replacement of ageing pipelines, particularly those passing close to residential and agricultural areas.

The continuing leak has intensified concerns among villagers, who say that public safety must not be compromised in the extraction of the region’s natural resources. They have called for immediate intervention before the leakage develops into a more serious incident.