Quest for oil: Two ONGC staff detained by villagers in Pipili

Pipili: Villagers in Batola area under Delang block in Puri district have detained two staff of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for past two days demanding compensation for the damages caused during company' s exploration work.

They alleged their houses and village temple have been damaged with cracks in walls and roofs following the underground blasting carried out by ONGC staff here.

“Due to the underground blasting, walls and roof of some villagers developed cracks,” claimed Subash Patra, a local resident.

“Most houses have been damaged within 100 meter radius of the site,” alleged Sarbeshwar Jena, another local resident.

On basis of satellite imagery, the ONGC staff had reached Batola area and have undertaken exploration works to know the exact quantity of oil and gas stored underground.

On the other hand, officials of ONGC said villagers who have incurred losses will be compensated after an inspection.
“The inspection team will assess the losses and compensate the villagers accordingly ,” informed Kailash Chandra Biswal, public relations officer of ONGC.