Guwahati: Oil India Limited (OIL), the state-owned oil-field of Khagorijan in Assam’s Dibrugarh district has restarted the operation after almost 15 years.
Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the function of the resumption of the oil field at Rohmoria on Saturday.
Reportedly, CM Sarma laid the foundation of two projects which is worth Rs17 crores for protection of the area for flood and erosion.
As per reports, due to the issues of administrative and environment the operations were suspended since November 2007 at the Khagorijan oil field.
The Chief Minister claims that four wells were drilled after oil was found in the area in November 1998, and that production began in December 2004. One of those wells, Khagorijan, is located 1.8 kilometres from the Brahmaputra.
According to the Chief Minister, the erosion brought on by the Brahmaputra River in Rohmoria had a devastating impact on the area’s residents.
He said, “Aiming a lasting and permanent solution to the problem, several efforts have been made during the past many years but due to various reasons it could not be materialized.”
“The state government has taken up several steps to deal with the flood and erosion problem of Rohmoria and the Water Resources Department almost completed two flood and erosion protection projects at Rohmoria,” he added.
Claiming that so far 80 per cent work of the embankment for protection of Rohmoria has been completed, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would sanction an additional fund of Rs 16.13 crores for the construction of the remaining stretch of the embankment.
The Chief Minister asked the Water Resources department to ensure quality work using advanced technology.
Further, he also requested the local residents to cooperate with OIL in its operations.