NGT dismisses plea against ONGC’s hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal

CHENNAI: The southern zone of National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday dismissed a plea filed against the hydrocarbon extraction project proposed at Neduvasal in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukkottai district.
The case was filed by actor Vishal’s ‘Devi Educational and Social Trust’ and local farmers against this project. Their counsel, led by MDMK leader Vaiko and JJS Eswaran, claimed that gas or oil extraction will affect groundwater levels, and will have an adverse impact on agriculture and environment.
The case dates to 2017 when the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the exploration and extraction at 69 fields, owned by ONGC, including Neduvasal, to improve domestic oil production.
Though ONGC had applied for clearance for Neduvasal well, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) returned its application stating that the exact location was not mentioned in the application.