Supreme Court Seeks Centre and Assam's Response on Oil India's Drilling Plan Beneath Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

**NEW DELHI, November 4, 2026:** The Supreme Court of India has sought responses from the Centre and the Assam government on Oil India Limited's plea challenging the rejection of its proposal for hydrocarbon exploration beneath Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam. The matter concerns the company's proposed use of Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) technology to access underground oil and gas reserves without placing drilling infrastructure inside the protected national park. **What Is Oil India's Proposal?** Oil India Limited has proposed drilling from locations outside the national park to reach hydrocarbon deposits located approximately 3,500 to 4,000 metres underground. The company has argued that this method is different from conventional mining and would not damage the park's wildlife and natural environment. It has also stated that the surrounding area may contain around three per cent of India's total hydrocarbon reserves. **Why Has the Matter Reached the Supreme Court?** The company challenged the rejection of approval for the use of 0.069 hectares of forest land in Tinsukia district for the proposed project. Oil India has questioned decisions taken by the Forest Advisory Committee and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The company argues that the restrictions on mining in protected areas should not automatically apply to its proposed underground drilling method. However, the proposal remains subject to legal and environmental scrutiny. **What Did the Supreme Court Say?** A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, heard the matter on November 3. The court sought responses from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Assam government. It indicated that the proposal could be considered after examining research and development reports from the concerned authorities, including the Environment Ministry. The matter is expected to be taken up again after November 17. **Why Is This Important for Assam?** Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is an important protected area in Assam, known for its biodiversity and wildlife. The case highlights the challenge of balancing energy exploration with environmental protection. The final decision could have implications for how underground hydrocarbon exploration is considered near protected forest areas. No final approval for the proposed project has been announced in this hearing. The matter remains under consideration by the Supreme Court. **PARBIJUL INDIA** *Reporting on Assam, India and the World.*