Tamil Nadu: Opposition Parties Unite Against ONGC's Coastal Hydrocarbon Exploration Plan, Urge DMK To Deny Permission

Various political parties in Tamil Nadu have come together to oppose the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's proposal to set up hydrocarbon exploration wells in 20 locations, along the coastal Ramanathapuram district.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been urged not to grant permission for this project due to concerns about its potential impact on groundwater and the vast agricultural land in the region.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami emphasised the need to protect the welfare of the people and insisted that permission should be denied, as reported by Business Standard.

He recalled that, during his tenure, he had designated the Cauvery Delta districts as protected agricultural zones to shield Tamil Nadu from potentially harmful projects.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S Ramadoss strongly objected to the project, warning that it could turn the district into a desert.

He raised concerns about extracting hydrocarbons from a depth of 3,000 feet and the possibility that this extraction technology could lead to earthquakes.

Leaders like Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Katchi (MDMK) founder Vaiko and Tamil Maanila Congress founder G K Vasan also voiced their opposition, underscoring the importance of prioritising the interests and well-being of the farming community.