Neduvasal bomb defused as MoEF de-lists 23 wells

The ticking time bomb of Neduvasal has finally been defused for good as the Union Environment Mi­­n­i­s­t­ry has de-listed 23 onshore exploratory drilling wells of the ONGC in Cauvery basin.

People staging a protest against Neduvasal hydrocarbon project. | Express

CHENNAI: The ticking time bomb of Neduvasal has finally been defused for good as the Union Environment Mi­­n­i­s­t­ry has de-listed 23 onshore exploratory drilling wells of the ONGC in Cauvery basin. The projects are back to the drawing room for failing to conduct mandatory public hearings and on charges of conflict of interest.

With the de-listing, the Centre has also met one of the key requests put forward by Chief Minister ‘Edappadi’ K Palaniswami. The environment ministry had issued Terms of Reference (ToR) to ONGC for these drilling wells in three instalments.

However, the ministry found serious procedural lapses in conducting public hearing in accordance with the Env­­i­r­o­n­me­nt Impact Assessment Not­i­f­ication, 2006. In its letter to ONGC on August 16, 2016, accessed by Express, the mi­n­­istry highlighted chinks in the application for environment clearance. But, ONGC did not take corrective measures, which led to the de-listing.