Pipeline Burst Triggers Panic in Halmari Dighalia Gaon
A crude oil spill flooded residential areas of Halmari Dighalia Gaon in Assam’s Dibrugarh district late Monday night after an Oil India Limited (OIL) pipeline burst, triggering panic among local residents.
Villagers said they heard a loud noise shortly before crude oil began gushing from the damaged pipeline. The oil quickly spread into nearby houses and lanes, forcing residents to rush out of their homes in fear.
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Emergency Response Contained the Spill
OIL fire tenders reached the site soon after the incident. Emergency teams worked through the night to contain the spill and prevent further spread of crude oil.
Officials managed to control the situation before it escalated into a major disaster. No injuries were reported, but residents said the incident caused severe distress and property damage.
Residents Raise Safety Concerns
Local residents expressed serious concern over the safety of oil infrastructure running through the village. They said several ageing pipelines pass close to residential areas.
The locality reportedly has nearly 50 oil wells, two Oil Collecting Stations, and one Drilling Collecting Station located near homes. Villagers said repeated warnings about pipeline safety had gone unaddressed.
“We live surrounded by oil installations,” a resident said. “Old pipelines pose a constant risk. This incident proves our fears were real.”
Demand for Inspection and Replacement
Villagers demanded immediate inspection of all pipelines in the area. They also called for the replacement of old and worn-out infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Residents urged OIL to conduct regular safety audits and share inspection reports with the local community. They said stronger preventive measures are necessary to protect lives and property.
No Official Statement from OIL Yet
Attempts to contact OIL spokesperson Bhairab Bhuyan for comment remained unsuccessful till the filing of this report. The company has not issued an official statement on the cause of the pipeline burst.
Locals said transparency and timely communication remain critical after such incidents.
Earlier Pipeline Accident in Dibrugarh
The incident has revived memories of a fatal pipeline-related accident in February 2024 at Duliajan, also in Dibrugarh district. One worker died and four others suffered injuries during repair work after a pipeline released crude oil under high pressure.
Following that accident, OIL had announced internal inquiries and preventive steps to avoid future mishaps. Residents now question the effectiveness of those measures.
Call for Stronger Oversight
The latest spill has renewed calls for stricter monitoring of oil infrastructure across Assam’s oil-producing regions. Locals and activists said safety must take priority over production.
They stressed that ageing pipelines running through inhabited areas pose a serious threat and require urgent attention.
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