Pondy CM says second hydrocarbon project also in Tamil Nadu

Narayanasamy along with Puducherry Special Representative A Johnkumar met Pradhan following reports in the local media that the Centre had granted permission to private agencies to extract hydrocarbon in Karaikal, which forms part of the union territory. Locals had opposed the project vehemently, Narayanasamy added.

Pradhan, according to Narayanasamy, had informed him that the project allocated to Bharat Petroleum Corporation was not located in Karaikal but 10 kilometres north east of the union territory in Nagapattinam district. The three wells come in the region of “the undulating delta plain of the Cauvery basin,” he disclosed.Narayanasamy also said Pradhan had showed him proof of the project’s location in Nagapattinam district and assured that no project would be taken up against the wishes of the people of Puducherry. 

With Tamil Nadu already on the boil following the Centre okaying the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project in Pudukottai district, Narayanasamy’s claim is expected to trigger louder protests. With the issue dying down in Neduvasal proper, it is still alive in neighbouring villages. The state government is already on the backfoot due its inability to pressurise the Central to give up the project, this new turn will add fuel to fire and keep the issue burning.