The New Indian Express ·
Environmental activists, politicians oppose oil well plan off Tamil Nadu coast
MAYILADUTHURAI: A proposal by the private company Hardy Exploration & Production (India) Inc. to drill five new development and production wells in the existing PY-3 oil field, covering 81 sq km in the offshore Cauvery Basin off the Mayiladuthurai coast, is facing a strong backlash from environmental activists and politicians.
They fear drilling will take a toll on the marine ecosystem and fishing livelihoods, and urged the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) not to approve the project.
Sources said the company on August 14 submitted an application to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking terms of reference to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the proposed project to establish five new hydrocarbon wells in the CRZ-IVA zone, in accordance with the EIA Notification 2006 and its subsequent amendments.
