Assam Gas Leak: Pollution Control Board Issues Show-Cause Notice to ONGC Over Unauthorised Operations

The Assam Pollution Control Board (PCBA) has issued a show-cause notice to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for operating without proper environmental clearances in Sivasagar district, following a major natural gas leak from its Rudrasagar oilfield that began on June 12.

The leak forced the evacuation of nearly 350 families after authorities failed to contain the situation, prompting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to recommend that the leaking well be sealed permanently.

A special team of experts from the United States arrived in Assam last Friday to assist with the crisis. ONGC officials informed the team on Sunday that the gas leak had slowed significantly and that additional machinery had been brought in to carry out the final sealing of the well.

In a notice dated June 21, PCBA accused ONGC of operating Well No. 147 at Bhatiapar–Barichuk in the Rudrasagar oilfield without obtaining the mandatory Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under key environmental laws.

According to the board, ONGC has violated several regulations, including the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016.

Calling the violations a “serious breach,” the PCBA said, “This notice reinforces the principle that no entity is above environmental compliance, regardless of its size or status.”

ONGC has been given 15 days to respond. If it fails to do so, the company could face legal action, penalties, and environmental compensation fines, as per a 2019 order of the National Green Tribunal. PCBA also said ONGC had been previously advised to obtain the necessary environmental clearances, but those instructions were reportedly ignored.

The notice followed a recent inspection, during which the visiting team observed ongoing uncontrolled gas emissions from the well—raising serious concerns about environmental damage and public health risks.

In a statement, ONGC confirmed that gas pressure at the site had dropped significantly and preparations were underway to permanently seal the well. “The noticeable reduction in gas pressure is a positive sign. Our teams, along with international experts, are now focused on the final capping operation,” the company said.

Officials added that ONGC’s Regional Crisis Management Team (RCMT) and the American experts are working around the clock. An extra-long boom crane has also been brought in from Guwahati to remove stacked tubing from the rig, a key step toward completing the sealing process.