IOC pipeline develops cracks in Katihar village, area sealed after spillage

Abhay Kumar Tiwari, SHO of the local police station, said IOC officials are now camping at the site, but the team to carry out the repair, coming from Sonapur in West Bengal, was still on its way.

An oil pipeline of the state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) began leaking on Tuesday at a village in Bihar’s Katihar district, police said.

An oil pipeline of the state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) began leaking on Tuesday at a village in Bihar’s Katihar district, police said. (Bloomberg)

“We have sealed the maize fields in Bakiya village, where oil began oozing on to the surface in the morning. Villagers have been strictly warned against striking matches or engaging in any action that could lead to a fire,” superintendent of police (SP) Amitesh Ravi said.

He said IOC officials have been informed about the incident and police personnel were on guard to restrain villagers who were found scrambling to carry the leaking oil in whatever containers they could lay hands on.

The SP said a pipeline from the Barauni oil refinery in adjoining district of Begusarai passed underneath the ground in the village.

“The pipeline may have developed cracks. It will be known definitively once IOC officials inspect the site. Till, then it will remain out of bounds for the public”, he added.

The pipeline from Barauni extends up to Assam.

Abhay Kumar Tiwari, station house officer (SHO) of the local police station, said IOC officials are now camping at the site, but the team to carry out the repair, coming from Sonapur in West Bengal, was still on its way.

The SHO did not rule out the possibility of a sabotage, though he did not offer any evidence.