TIRUCHY: With stiff resistance being expressed against Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) operations in exploring for oil and gas in the Cauvery delta districts, social media played a crucial role in mobilising support against the energy major. Aimed at countering the allegations, mainly about pollution, the company’s Cauvery Asset has launched a dedicated YouTube channel ‘ONGC Karaikal’ to remove misconceptions among people. According to official sources, the channel features videos explaining ONGC’s activities.
According to ONGC officials with Cauvery Asset, based in Karaikal, oil and gas exploration activities are being taken up in about nine major localities in Ahmedabad and Mehsana Assets, both in Gujarat, Rajahmundry Asset in Andhra Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam, but the magnitude of protests against ONGC operations is said to be the highest in the Cauvery Asset.
Though drilling activities started way back in 1964, ONGC enjoyed a cordial relationship with farmers and locals till 2013, except on occasions where oil spills affected cultivable lands in Kizhvelur and Nagapattinam in 2012. But later, ONGC officials said the relationship turned bitter when talks were on for implementing Coal-Bed Methane (CBM) exploration projects .