OIL pipeline bursts twice in 12hrs in Dibrugarh, farms & fish ponds affected

Dibrugarh: An Oil India Limited pipeline at Shalmari Dighalia village in Dibrugarh’s Tingkhong area experienced two separate bursts within a 12-hour period, causing crude oil to spill into the surrounding area and affecting local farmlands and fish ponds.

The pipeline first ruptured around 10 pm on Monday night, releasing crude oil that spread into nearby areas. Before the situation could be fully assessed, the same pipeline burst again around 10 am on Tuesday morning, prompting renewed concerns among locals about the infrastructure’s condition.

The spilled crude oil has affected agricultural fields and fish-rearing ponds in the vicinity, with visible oil layers appearing on pond surfaces. Several residents mentioned that fish in affected ponds have died, while some agricultural areas have been impacted by the spillage.

The strong smell of crude oil has spread across the locality, causing discomfort to residents. The second burst on Tuesday morning created moments of anxiety as oil sprayed out under pressure, raising concerns about potential fire risks. After approximately an hour of work, OIL personnel managed to control the second leak.

Monimanik Gogoi, a resident, recounted the initial incident. “We heard a loud sound around 10 pm. When we came out of our homes, we saw that the OIL pipeline had burst and crude oil was spilling. Fire tenders from OIL arrived immediately to control the spillage,” he said.

“The pipelines are quite old and perhaps need to be evaluated for replacement. We have around 50 oil wells in our village. It would be beneficial if OIL could assess and upgrade these pipes where necessary. Fortunately, the department’s timely intervention helped prevent what could have been a more serious situation,” he added.

An OIL official said, “The leakage has been brought under control by our technical team. We are currently conducting a thorough damage assessment of the affected area and will take appropriate measures accordingly. Our priority is to ensure that such incidents do not recur.”