A major pipeline operated by Oil India Limited (OIL) in Assam's Dibrugarh district suffered two catastrophic failures within a short 12-hour window, leading to a significant crude oil spill that has contaminated local agricultural land and water bodies.
Timeline of a Double Disaster
The incident unfolded in the Shalmari Dighalia village located in the Tingkhong area. The first rupture occurred around 10 pm on Monday night, with crude oil gushing out and spreading into the surrounding environment. As emergency teams from OIL rushed to the site with fire tenders to manage the initial crisis, a second, more alarming burst took place. Approximately twelve hours later, at 10 am on Tuesday morning, the same pipeline failed again, spraying oil under high pressure and heightening fears among the village residents.
Immediate Impact and Local Anguish
The twin spills have had a severe and visible impact on the local ecology and livelihood sources. A layer of crude oil has formed on the surface of several fish-rearing ponds, and residents confirm that fish have begun dying in the contaminated water. Adjacent agricultural fields have also been affected by the spillage. Beyond the physical damage, a strong, pervasive smell of crude oil has enveloped the locality, causing considerable discomfort to the people living there.
The second burst, in particular, created moments of high anxiety. The forceful spraying of oil raised immediate concerns about potential fire hazards in the area. It took OIL personnel about an hour of intense work to finally bring the second leak under control.
Calls for Infrastructure Review and Official Response
Local residents, while acknowledging the swift response from OIL's fire teams, have expressed deep concern over the aging pipeline infrastructure. Monimanik Gogoi, a village resident, described the alarming sound of the initial burst and the subsequent scramble. He pointed out a critical issue, stating, "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."
An official spokesperson from Oil India Limited addressed the incident, confirming that their technical team had managed to control the leakage. The official stated, "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."
This repeated failure within hours has put a spotlight on the maintenance and safety protocols of critical energy infrastructure in the region, with the local community awaiting concrete action to prevent future ecological and economic damage.
