Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Seeks Inquiry and Relief Following Fatal Oil India Facility Explosion

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal spoke by telephone with the Chairman and Managing Director of Oil India Ltd. at the company’s headquarters in Duliajan to review the situation following an explosion and major fire at the Tengakhat oil field’s Intermediate Tank Farm (ITF) facility.

During the conversation, Sonowal urged the company to ensure the best medical treatment for everyone injured in the incident and to take all necessary measures without delay. The Lok Sabha MP from Dibrugarh also called for appropriate compensation for the families of those who lost their lives.

Additionally, Sonowal advocated for a high-level inquiry by the concerned authorities to establish the exact cause of the fire and bring all aspects surrounding the incident to light.

The incident resulted in one worker's death and six injuries after a massive fire broke out following the explosion at the ITF facility of Oil India Limited in Tengakhat, Dibrugarh district, according to the company. This followed an earlier update reporting five injured workers and one missing worker after the accident occurred on Friday morning.

Preliminary reports indicate the explosion took place in the crude oil storage section during technical work while a valve was being operated.

Kamal Phukan, Area Manager of contractor Spectron Engineers Pvt Ltd, earlier stated to media that the accident occurred during routine maintenance work on machinery that undergoes monthly or quarterly servicing. Injured personnel were shifted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh and the Oil Medical College for treatment, while special teams addressed the search for missing personnel.

"Industrial safety and adherence to strict operational protocols remain paramount for any large-scale enterprise, particularly in the energy and natural resources sector. Incidents like the one at the Tengakhat facility underline the critical importance of robust maintenance standards, swift emergency response, and comprehensive welfare measures for frontline workers and contractors. Prioritizing workforce safety is not only a regulatory requirement but a fundamental business responsibility that safeguards both human lives and operational continuity." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes