Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that a team of American experts has arrived at the ONGC’s RDS-147A well site in Sivasagar district to assist in efforts to cap an ongoing gas leak, which poses potential danger due to its proximity to a river embankment. Addressing a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, CM Sarma said the well-capping operation would begin on Saturday.
He warned that any flooding caused by the monsoon could worsen the situation significantly. “An expert team from the USA has reached, and the process of capping the well will start tomorrow. The well is located near a river embankment, and if a flood comes at this moment, then the situation will become worse. Our main focus is to control the gas leakage,” he said.
CM Sarma confirmed that around 50 per cent of the groundwork site preparations and equipment mobilisation have already been completed. ONGC has now opted for a more practical and secure approach to sealing the well, and the entire operation is being monitored 24/7 by both the central and state governments.