Gamanpura still battling air blow-out problem

Palanpur, Gujarat, Dec 1: The problem arising out of underground air blow-out at Gamanpura village in Mehsana district has still not resolved despite efforts of Crisis Management Team which is working round the clock since the last four days.

''It is unusual for a blowout to occur in our wells of this magnitude,'' ONGC Deputy General Manager (Corporate Communication) Pallav Bhatacharya said.

Village sarpanch Ramesh Makwana said the water-logging has got worse and gas too is diffusing over a wide area polluting the atmosphere. Manjulaben Gandabhai Patel (45), a villager, has had to be hospitalised as result.

The village was evacuated. ''We have no source of livelihood.

Even the cattle has been shifted to nearby villages. The daily income we were getting from dairy has come to a standstill,'' Mr Makwana said.

According to district collector Ajay Bhadu, who has been camping in the village, ''The investigation report by Gujarat Pollution Control Board does not show oil contamination in the water. We have asked the ONGC authorities to control the leakage and submit a report by December 4. I have also written to the Chief Managing Director,'' he said.

UNI