Baghjan Fire: National Green Tribunal Slaps Rs 25-Cr Interim Fine On Oil India Limited

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed an interim penalty of Rs 25 crore on Oil India Limited (OIL) for failing to stop the fire in Assam’s Baghjan oil well, resulting in extensive damage to the environment.

Well No. 5 at Baghjan in Tinsukia district caught fire on June 9, killing two of OIL’s firefighters at the site.

A committee, headed by former high court judge B.P. Katakey, was constituted to look into the matter and submit a report in 30 days.

“In view of the prima facie case made out against Oil India Ltd on the extent of damage caused to the environment and biodiversity, damage to both human and wildlife, public health and, having regard to the financial worth of the Company and the extent of damage, we direct the OIL to deposit an initial amount of 25 crore with Tinsukia District Magistrate,” the bench — comprising Justice S.P. Wangdi and expert member Siddhanta Das among others — said in the order passed on Wednesday.

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