Oil drilling project sparks protests over pollution concerns in Tripura
Times of India | 21 August 2026
Agartala: Protests erupted in Khedabari village of Sonamura in Sepahijala on Thursday over alleged chemical pollution of farmland and water bodies from an ONGC drilling project.
Local farmers and fish cultivators demanded compensation for losses attributed to contaminated water. Demonstrators gathered outside the project site, blocking the main entrance. They claimed wastewater from drilling operations had seeped into their agricultural land and nearby ponds.
ONGC officials could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts.
According to police, wastewater and chemical byproducts from drilling operations are stored in a tank on the site. Heavy rainfall in recent days caused the tank to overflow, sending polluted water into fields and local water bodies.
Farmers expressed distress over damage to standing crops and feared the polluted water would affect soil quality. Fish cultivators reported that several ponds were affected, leading to a noticeable die-off of fish due to suspected contamination.
Villagers also reported a strange chemical and fuel-like odour from the polluted water, raising concerns about the potential impact on wildlife and surviving fish.
Protesters said they had earlier approached ONGC officials about the issue but received no response. Consequently, they blocked the project entrance to demand urgent action and compensation.
The cultivators are seeking a scientific assessment of the affected areas, a proper evaluation of agricultural and fishery losses, and preventive measures to stop further wastewater discharge into adjacent fields and ponds.
They warned that their agitation would escalate if the concerns are not addressed swiftly. For many families in the area, farming and pisciculture are vital sources of income, making the alleged pollution a serious threat to their livelihoods.