Assam gas company announces probe into pipeline explosion

Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL) has announced an inquiry into Monday’s natural gas pipeline explosion in the Sivasagar district of the state, which killed four persons and injured six others.

The AGCL also said compensation would be given to the victims and families of the deceased, including Jyoti Chabbar (24), a pregnant woman who was killed on the spot after the explosion. The three other deceased succumbed to their burn injuries at the Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. They have been identified as Bhasan Sharma (35), his wife Parash (30), and Michael Toppno (30).

The explosion occurred at 3:30 am on Monday near the Hingrijan Tea Estate in the Moran town of Assam's Sivasagar district, 364 km from Guwahati.

An underground high-pressure gas AGCL pipeline along the Moran-Sonari road near the tea estate exploded and gutted eight houses in its vicinity.

Locals in Moran have argued that the mishap could have been averted if routine checkups of the gas pipeline were done. Prafulla Das, a resident in the town, alleged that the incident was an example of the Oil India Limited’s (OIL) negligence. “If there was any technical fault, it could have been checked and properly repaired,” he said.