In a meeting last month, a Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change committee recommended that the project get environmental clearance.
EAC Recommends Green Clearance
ONGC plans to spend Rs 8,110 crore in the onshore development and production of gas and oil from 172 wells in eight Andhra Pradesh PML (production mining license) blocks.
In a meeting last month, a Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change committee recommended that the project get environmental clearance.
The project’s projected cost is Rs 8,110 crore. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will have a capital cost of Rs. 172 crore and annual recurrent costs of Rs. 91.16 crore. According to the meeting minutes, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) said that the industry would want to set aside Rs. 11 crore for the promises made at the public hearing.
EAC Sets Strict Conditions
The committee instructed the ONGC to adhere to all environmental protection measures and safeguards suggested in the papers given to the Ministry while proposing the EC (Environmental Clearance).
The project’s environmental management and risk mitigation strategies must adhere to all of the EIA/EMP’s recommendations.
It added that, in accordance with the NOC issued in May of this year, no well would be drilled within 10 kilometers of the eco-sensitive Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary area, and no pipelines or their components could be installed on forest land or in a protected area without the Competent Authority’s prior consent.