Bharuch: The remedial measures due to the unfortunate incidence of oil leakage in Kuchhipura Area are being taken up on war footing by ONGC. The leakage was immediately arrested and the entire area has been cordoned off, so as to prevent any untoward incidence. Round the clock security has also been deployed for monitoring the site, stated the ONGC in a press statement.

In a press statement, the company announced, “ONGC has constituted an internal Enquiry team comprising of Environment Engineers who reached the location on morning of 27^th May 2023 and have conducted the detailed enquiry. As per their preliminary enquiry report, the mouth and bodies of the camels do not bear any oil marks. Vehicle tyre marks have been observed near the camel bodies, which indicates that prima facie dead bodies might have been brought in some vehicles and placed by miscreants near ONGC well sites with ulterior motives.” 

“Hence, contrary to speculation and unverified reports, enquiry points that the unfortunate death of camels in the area is totally unrelated to the oil leakage and apparently the carcass was kept with ulterior motive,” the statement further said.

Forensic investigation is being conducted to ascertain the real cause of the unfortunate death of the camels. The samples have been collected and a report is expected shortly.

Further, as a responsible corporate, ONGC continues to provide all assistance to Gujarat Pollution Control Board and State Administrative agencies. According to the latest field survey report, it has been confirmed that there is no other leakage site in the entire Asset, the statement further said.

On May 23, 25 camels were found dead near Kachhipura village in Bharuch, possibly due to consuming contaminated water. The district collectorate and GPCB initiated an investigation into the cause of the camel’s death. GPCB later issued a directive to ONGC, holding them responsible for water and ground pollution under the Environment (Protection) Act. DeshGujarat