Major Gas Blowout and Capital Expansion Projects in Andhra Pradesh
Panic gripped the Ambedkar Konaseema district on Monday, January 5, 2026, following a massive gas leak and subsequent fire at an ONGC well. The incident occurred at the Mori-5 well in Malikipuram mandal during routine repair work conducted by a private contractor. A powerful blowout released a high-pressure mix of gas and crude oil, which ignited shortly after.Authorities acted swiftly, evacuating residents from Irusumanda and Mori villages within a five-kilometer radius to ensure public safety. While the inferno caused significant alarm, no casualties or injuries were reported, and specialized crisis management teams from Rajahmundry were deployed to cap the leak.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu personally reviewed the emergency operations, instructing district officials to prioritize the welfare of displaced families. The state government has directed ONGC to coordinate closely with local revenue and police departments to prevent further escalation. This incident has reignited discussions regarding the safety protocols of oil and gas installations located near densely populated agricultural zones in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
Simultaneously, the state government has intensified its efforts to develop the capital city, Amaravati, by launching the second phase of land pooling. This phase has met with fresh resistance from farmers in several villages, including Vykuntapuram and Karlapudi. Residents expressed concerns over the fulfillment of past promises regarding infrastructure and livelihood security. In response, State Minister Narayana visited the region to hold “Gram Sabhas,” assuring villagers that approximately ₹900 crore has already been sanctioned for internal roads, drainage, and street lighting to be completed within six months.
In the industrial sector, Andhra Pradesh reached a significant milestone with the commissioning of a new Residue Upgradation Facility at the Visakhapatnam Refinery. CM Naidu hailed the project as a decisive step toward “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” noting that it houses some of the world’s heaviest reactors fabricated indigenously. This modernization is expected to boost fuel production and strengthen the East Coast as a global refining hub, providing a substantial lift to the regional economy.
Additionally, the state cabinet approved a new urban sanitation initiative, establishing Project Monitoring Units in 46 cities. This data-driven approach aims to improve the state’s performance in the upcoming national cleanliness rankings. Meanwhile, in Parvathipuram Manyam district, a new “Helping Hands” patient assistance scheme was launched to provide volunteer support and wheelchair access for elderly and tribal patients at government hospitals, marking a day of diverse administrative and industrial activity across the state.
