Weeks after capping a gas blowout at its Rudrasagar oilfield, ONGC is now facing fresh backlash as crude oil leaks from its pipelines have contaminated vast stretches of farmland and water bodies in Assam’s Sivasagar district. Bursting of pipelines in Mechagarh has affected hundreds of bighas of agricultural land, threatened livestock health, and damaged local fish habitats. Residents allege that such incidents have become routine, with poor pipeline maintenance and little to no compensation from the energy major. Local farmers fear major crop losses this growing season due to the continued spread of crude oil across paddy fields.