Chennai, June 16:
The opposition DMK on Monday urged the Tamil Nadu government to deny permission for the proposed hydrocarbon wells project off the Cuddalore coast, citing serious environmental and livelihood concerns.
Former Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu expressed strong opposition to the plan to establish four offshore wells near Parangipettai, stating that the previous DMK government under M.K. Stalin had taken a firm stand against hydrocarbon projects to safeguard agriculture and the environment. He recalled that similar proposals were halted earlier by denying environmental clearance.
Fishermen and environmental groups have also voiced strong resistance, warning that drilling activities and seismic surveys could severely damage marine ecosystems, mangrove forests, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. The project, estimated at Rs 425 crore, is currently under review by the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority.
According to official filings, the wells are proposed to be drilled up to 3,000 metres deep in the Bay of Bengal, around 18 km from the Parangipettai coast. Activists highlighted the proximity of the site to the ecologically sensitive Pichavaram mangrove reserve, raising concerns over biodiversity loss.
Political parties including PMK and MDMK have also opposed the project, while experts and activists have called on the government to prioritise environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods over industrial expansion.
The DMK has urged the present government to continue its earlier policy stance and take immediate steps to halt the project in the interest of protecting marine resources and coastal communities.