Environmental activists and local communities on Thursday raised their voice against the proposed exploration of oil and natural gas in the Konaseema region of the Krishna-Godavari basin during an Environmental Public Hearing conducted by the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB).
The hearing, which reportedly began two hours after the scheduled time, irked locals. “The delay is an attempt to discourage the gathering from participating in it,” the locals alleged, blaming the officials for poor communication over the project and a lack of transparency in the Environmental Impact and Assessment (EIA) details.
Nearly 150 persons from different sections of society were present at the public hearing conducted amid the deployment of nearly 60 police personnel at the Zilla Parishad High School at Kesavadasunipalem village in Sakhinetipalli mandal of East Godavari district.
East Godavari Joint Collector (Revenue) Sumit Kumar conducted the public hearing on the project proposed by the Chennai-based AVR Oil and Gas Private Limited. The company, and APPCB authorities, have stated that the exploration project includes setting up an Early Processing System/Gas Production Unit (EPS-GPU) and the development of three wells within the 24.2 sq. km area in the Konaseema region. The estimated project cost is ₹100 crore.
Shallow area
Human Rights Forum’s Andhra Pradesh State secretary Y. Rajesh said, “The location of the EPS-GPU has not been specified in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. The details of the extent of land to be gathered for the project have been excluded in the EIA.” Mr. Rajesh and HRF East Godavari district president M. Srinivasa Rao have demanded that the environmental clearance should not be granted based on the EIA report which reportedly ignores crucial facts regarding the impact on the local environment.
Mr. Rajesh has said that the proposed project area is shallow by nature and such a project should not be allowed between the Vasistha and Vainateya branches of the Godavari in the Konaseema region.
Land subsidence
In a written objection, Scientific Adviser to the Krishna-Godavari Delta Pariraskhana Samithi Prof. G. Krishna Rao said that land subsidence of up to 7 cm was recorded at the proposed project area due to previous oil exploration activities. “A total of 25 participants have registered their grievances and objections at the public hearing. Twenty-five more written objections have been received. The public can submit their objections till April 3 on the project,” he said.
