ONGC officials found that a bolt attached to the well had rusted, causing the leak. A replacement bolt is expected to be brought from another location on Tuesday.
Mamidikuduru tahsildar C.S. Raju said ONGC officials had informed him that the leak did not pose a problem and that efforts were under way to tap the gas. Amalapuram RDO Sarala Devi and Raju inspected the site and directed officials to tap the gas at the earliest.
Villagers and farmers staged a protest at the site, demanding that ONGC fulfil promises made earlier. They said commitments to construct roads, provide infrastructure facilities and take measures to prevent gas leaks had not been met. They called off the protest after officials assured them that their demands would be addressed.
Konaseema district collector R. Mahesh Kumar said a minor gas leak was reported on Monday evening from the Pasarlapudi-4 well in Pasarlapudi Lanka village. Revenue, police and ONGC officials rushed to the site after receiving information, and ONGC staff began efforts to bring the leak under control.