Hydrocarbon Project Faces Opposition in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, Aug 25 (PTI): Political parties and fishermen from Tamil Nadu's coastal districts of Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari have expressed strong opposition to the hydrocarbon exploration project in Ramanathapuram district, urging the Central Government to cancel the initiative. Subsequently, due to significant protests, the Tamil Nadu government has instructed the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to revoke the clearance previously granted to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Ltd for the exploration activities.

The Tamil Nadu State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (TNSEIAA) had initially permitted the ONGC to undertake onshore hydrocarbon exploration drilling across 20 wells situated in Ramanathapuram district.

According to environmentalist and leader of Neithal Makkal Katchi, Ku Bharathi, the Ministry of Petroleum identified hydrocarbon reserves spread over 30,000 square kilometers in shallow sea areas and 95,000 square kilometers in deep-sea areas, which are adjacent to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry's landmasses, following a block auction earlier this year.

"This project threatens the livelihoods of approximately 608 fishing villages across 14 coastal districts," Bharathi emphasized.

He voiced concerns about the already dwindling fishery resources, which forced fishermen to venture into deep-sea fishing, and insisted that "this hydrocarbon project should be canceled for the sake of the fisheries sector and coastal environment."

Fishermen from the coastal regions have been actively protesting, urging the Central Government to revoke the project.

In opposition, the MDMK, an ally of the ruling DMK, has demanded the state government retract the environmental clearance for the project, citing it as "a threat to fishermen’s livelihood and the environment," per MDMK chief Vaiko.

Further, Vaiko requested the Central Government review and withdraw the environmental clearance issued by the Tamil Nadu government for the ONGC hydrocarbon extraction endeavor.

The AIADMK had already objected to the project during the initial approval stages for ONGC’s drilling operations, demanding its termination, while the PMK has raised concerns about potential contamination of groundwater by seawater due to drilling.

PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss remarked that the ONGC applied for clearance in October 2023, alleging that digging operations could extend up to 3,000 feet underground. "The technology involved in hydrocarbon extraction risks causing earthquakes and other disasters, potentially turning the entire district into a desert,” Anbumani stated.

Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu reaffirmed that the State government will not permit the project, asserting, "It's the policy of Chief Minister M K Stalin to safeguard the welfare of the people, and not to allow the hydrocarbon project in any part of Tamil Nadu."

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