(TOI)
The proposed hydrocarbon projects in Neduvasal and Karaikal, which have run into rough weather, are not the first in Tamil Nadu, and they are as safe as three similar projects operating in the state, the Centre has said.The projects would generate 500 direct jobs and Rs 300 crore, the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas said in a statement on Monday, and Tamil Nadu can earn Rs 40 crore in royalty by implementing them. Seeking to dispel fears of environmental contamination and health hazards, ministry officials said misconceptions were fuelling protests in the state.There are three similar operational exploration blocks of approximately 1,461sqkm in the state. “Under nomination regime, 31 mining leases (approximately 3,500sqkm) have been granted in the state from where 600 tonnes of oil and 30 lakh cubic metres of natural gas are produced per day. Till date, more than 700 wells have been drilled for extraction of oil and gas in Tamil Nadu. These active operations are not hampering agriculture in nearby areas and do not pose any known environmental impact or health hazards on living beings of the operational area,” the ministry statement said. It said extraction of oil and gas is a well-established practice and the industry uses state-of-the-art technology and takes maximum care to protect the environment. “The operators also get environment impact assessment done before carrying out any drilling and other activities.”
