NGT grants interim stay on extraction of coal bed methane,natural gas and crude oil in cauvery Delta Region

Green Bench halts CBM work by ONGC, GAIL in Cauvery delta

The National Green Tribunal Southern Bench has granted an interim stay on extraction of coal bed methane, natural gas and crude oil by ONGC and GAIL in the Cauvery Delta Region.

Ruling on an application filed by an activist based in Thiruvarur, a Delta District, the Bench ordered notice to ONGC and GAIL and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and State Government authorities concerned.

It has posted the matter for August 10,2015

According to the Counsel for the petitioner, ONGC and GAIL had started extracting coal bed methane during July.

The two companies are attempting to execute a project to exploit the natural resources in the delta districts.

There is no transparency in the project and the people in the area are not aware of the details.

The petitioner also pointed out that a similar project by Great Eastern Energy Corporation in the area has also been suspended.

A public interest litigation is pending in Madras High Court and the Tamil Nadu Government has also constituted an expert committee to study the impact of the project