TN Government Will Not Allow Harmful Hydrocarbon Projects, Environment Minister Tells House

Tamil Nadu Environment and Climate Change Minister VK Rajeev on Tuesday assured the Assembly in Chennai that the state government will not permit any projects that detrimentally impact people, affect fishermen's livelihoods, or harm the environment.

Responding to a call attention motion moved by legislators regarding a proposed hydrocarbon project, the Minister sought to allay concerns over new drilling proposals in the state.

The Minister clarified that the Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited has proposed drilling four additional developmental wells in an existing offshore area. The proposal has received Terms of Reference from the central government and is presently under review by the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority following an application submitted earlier this year.

Minister Rajeev also noted that permissions for previous hydrocarbon wells in the region had been granted during earlier DMK and AIADMK administrations, involving three wells and one well respectively.

During the discussion, members of the House raised apprehensions about HOEC's proposal to drill four new hydrocarbon wells in the sea near Parangipettai, pointing out potential adverse effects on the Chidambaram constituency.

Legislators expressed serious concern that the offshore drilling poses a threat to marine life and local fishing communities. They also highlighted risks of saltwater intrusion into agricultural lands and the project's proximity to the ecologically sensitive Pichavaram mangroves.