Leak in ONGC pipeline triggers tension at Kathiramangalam

Villagers, who were against the project, stopped the officials, who were on the way to plug the leakage, and demanded immediate cessation of the exploration works from their site.

Residents also showed them how one of the leakages was spoiling a nearby farm. 

It is said the pipe line carrying crude oil from Kathiramangalam to Kuthalam located 7 km away, developed cracks. Oil began to leak out from six points near the Vanadurgai Amman temple in Kathiramangalam. Out of six points, it is said, two were really big with crude gushing out forcefully. It began to rapidly spread on the field of Sriram.  

When news spread, the residents staged a protest against ONGC. They also claimed that there was a fire from one of the leakages. 

While the Assistant Collector (Kumbakonam) Pradeep Kumar and J Mahesh, SP arrived, residents did not allow them. They insisted that the collector should visit the spot in person. 

Later N Sakthivel, the DRO of Thanjavur, held talks with the villagers. But the talks remained inconclusive. 

Meanwhile, the ONGC released an official note that the leakage was a rumour. 

They charged that a few persons had ignited dry bushes at two places and created a scene of fire, just to create panic among the public.