Oil spoils cotton in Tiruvarur: NGT to assess damage

The tribunal has directed the committee to assess the damage caused to the environment, including fertility of the land, and the remedial measures taken by ONGC and whether it was sufficient.

Hearing the case over video conference, Judicial member Justice K Ramakrishnan and expert member Saibal Dasgupta have also asked whether any compensation was awarded for damage caused to the environment and to the affected landowners.

Citing the news report, the bench said, “The report did not mention the extent of damage caused to the soil and expenses required for rectifying the same, and no independent assessment was made regarding the fertility of the soil affected. Under the circumstances, we issue notices to Chief Secretary, Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ONGC and the District Collector regarding the oil leak.”

The committee, comprising senior officials of CPCB and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), senior soil scientist from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, and Collector, Tiruvarur, was asked to inspect the area and submit a report within two months and the matter was posted for hearing on July 20.

The news report said the oil leak happened in April, following which ONGC officials came to the site to arrest the leakage. The report also mentioned that the pipeline was passing through the 5-acre property of one Selvaraj.

District Environmental Engineer had asked the ONGC to carry out the reclamation works such as removal of oil spillover in the soil, and to submit the further report immediately.

ONGC has been digging oil wells in agriculture lands across delta districts, particularly in Tiruvarur. The oil is taken through a collection point at Vellakudi and then to the main plant located at Nariman in Nagapattinam for refinement.