NGT directs TN Govt. to submit its stand on shale gas exploration within three weeks

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu Government to submit its view on shale gas exploration allegedly done by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) in the Cauvery delta region within the next three weeks.

The tribunal will next hear the matter on October 24.

The tribunal had in June directed the state government to submit a report on its stand on the shale gas exploration.

The Bench comprising Justice P Jyothimani and expert member PS Rao had said the government should clear the air whether it was in favour of the project or not.

If the government was for the project, then a detailed scientific study should be done to assess the feasibility and other environmental aspects.

The ONGC project intends to extract shale gas in Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts.