OIL’s not well with Brahmaputra

Clean up or face closure, Assam oil companies told
OIL’s not well with Brahmaputra
A seismic survey of the river basin has been put on hold

Oil India Limited (OIL) has put on hold its proposed seismic survey of the Brahmaputra basin following a meeting with All Assam Students Union (AASU). The decision was taken at a meeting in Guwahati after the company chairman M R Pasricha ruled that the Rs 100-crore survey would be kept in abeyance till scientific experts gave their opinion on its effects on the river's eco-system. AASU is reportedly holding consultations on the impact of the survey with experts in geology, geography and life sciences from the IIT here and the Gauhati and Dibrugarh Universities.

AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said: "OIL agreed to keep its till experts gave their opinion as it was a sensitive issue for the people of Assam with the Brahmaputra being their lifeline. After we apprised (OIL) of the possible negative impact of the survey, Pasricha assured us that no step would be taken against the interests of the state". Ecological, social and students groups have criticised the proposed seismic survey while the banned ULFA has warned it would launch a "people's resistance" to the move.

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