The Oil India Limited is spending Rs 41 lakh daily to maintain the 12 relief camps that are in operation since March 27 as the final efforts are on to douse the fire and kill well as the OIl is looking at a total loss of more than Rs 200 crores.
At least a hundred workers are working almost round the clock at Baghjan, in preparation for the final assault on the inferno that has been raging for four weeks now, while the gas and condensates started spewing out since May 27. Earthmoving equipments, hydraulic hammers etc have all been cladded in heat shields – heavy galvanized iron corrugated sheets – to prevent damage to equipment function due to the intense heat from the fire. The exercises will happen under a heavy shower of water, pumped from three waterpumps, each throwing out water at 2500 gallons per minute.
OIL is said to have already spent Rs 15 crore on providing food and essential supplies since May 27. The daily bill on this score totals about Rs 41.23 lakhs, on an average.
This is in addition to the Rs 4,92,90,000 paid to the Tinsukia DC for initial ex-gratia payments to the affected families.
According to the tinsukia district administration that a dozen disaster shelter camps are functioning for the 39 th straight day. Nine are in operation since May 27, and three at Guijan since June 9.
In all about 10,000 people are in residence. The nine camps, located at Baghjan and Dighaltarrang areas are being looked after by Oil India Limited. Each of the residents are provided food and other necessities, costing a minimum of Rs 500 per head per day.
The food and other supplies have been outsourced to NGOs and volunteers, all of whom are doing a satisfactory job, given the challenges of these Covid-19 times and restrictions. The shelters at the Guijan side are being looked after by the Tinsukia civil administration.
The disaster control exercises are likely to put OIL back by Rs 200 crores and more, taking into account deployment of overseas and in-country experts, sundry machinery and equipment and miscellaneous bills raised by government agencies along with the major compensation package.
