The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has cancelled it interim order staying extraction of coal bed methane, natural gas and crude oil by ONGC and GAIL in the Cauvery Delta Region.
The Tribunal had ordered an interim stay on August 5 on an application by an activist based in Thiruvarur, a Delta District, seeking a stay by both public sector companies on extraction of coal bed methane, and range of fossil fuels.
It also ordered notice to ONGC and GAIL and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and State Government authorities concerned. According to the counsel for the appellant, Siva Raajeshekaran, the Tribunal lifted the interim stay on assurance from ONGC that it was not extracting methane. GAIL had also represented that it was not in the business of prospecting but was a company in pipeline operations.
The Tribunal has posted the matter for August 18.
The petitioner has expressed concern that the public are concerned regarding the environmental impact of the ongoing projects for extraction of petroleum products. Adequate clearances and proper public hearing have not been conducted according to the application, the counsel said.