Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the situation arising out of Baghjan fire in Tinsukia district of Assam.

The review meeting was attended, amongst others by union home minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, other union ministers and senior Central government officers.

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Uncontrolled gas started leaking from OIL's oil well number Baghjan-5 on May 27, 2020, preparation was on to control the leak.

However, the oil well caught fire on June 9, 2020, and the families living in the surrounding areas have been shifted and relief camps set up by Assam government in collaboration with Oil India Limited (OIL).

Approximately, 9,000 persons are living in these relief camps and as an immediate relief measure, Rs 30,000 each has been sanctioned for 1610 families identified by Tinsukia district administration.

The Baghjan fire has had a devastating effect on the biodiversity of the area and two fire personnel have died in the fire.

The Prime Minister assured the people of Assam through CM Sonowal that the Centre is fully committed to providing support and relief and rehabilitation to the affected families.

He said that the Centre is standing with the state government in this difficult time due to the unfortunate incident that has taken place.

He also directed the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry that this incident should be studied and documented so that learnings become useful in future.

Further capacities and expertise should be developed within our own organizations to avoid such mishaps in future and deal with such calamities in case they occur.

During the review meeting, it was informed that the detailed plan has been drawn with the help of Indian and foreign experts to control the flow of gas from the oil well and to cap it.

The plan is being executed as per the prepared schedule and it is proposed to cap the oil well on July 7 after taking all necessary safety precautions.