Latest news with #EnvironmentalManagementPlan
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
ONGC plans ₹4,600-crore investment for oil and gas project in Andhra Pradesh
State-owned oil and gas firm, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), is investing over ₹4,600 crore to develop oil and gas reserves in the Konaseema District of Andhra Pradesh, reports news agency PTI. The project includes drilling 10 development wells and establishing new infrastructure, and is currently awaiting environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. According to the minutes of a meeting held on July 24 by the Ministry's Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC), ONGC has submitted an application for fresh environmental clearance. The proposed development is part of the Discovered Small Field-III (DSF-III) programme, under which ONGC was awarded contracts for two offshore areas: KG/OSDSF/CHANDRIKA/2021 (Chandrika) and KG/OSDSF/GS49/2021 (GS49) in September 2022. The project's scope is extensive, encompassing the setup of two unmanned platforms, the laying of an offshore pipeline, and the creation of an onshore gas processing facility at Odalarevu Terminal. A total land area of 26.3 hectares is required for the installation, with 8.7 hectares earmarked for a greenbelt. The company has also outlined a budget for environmental management, with a capital cost of ₹14 crore for the Environmental Management Plan and a recurring annual cost of ₹3 crore. This is not the first time the proposal has been before the EAC. The committee had considered it in February but deferred it, requesting additional information from ONGC. In its most recent meeting, the EAC once again deferred the proposal, seeking further details. The committee has advised ONGC to conduct a comprehensive biodiversity assessment to evaluate the impact of the drilling activities and to prepare a detailed environmental restoration action plan with a dedicated budget. The project is expected to create employment opportunities, generating 150 direct jobs and an additional 310 indirect jobs.>
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
ONGC to invest ₹4,600 crore to drill 10 wells, other infra in KG Basin
The oil and gas major ONGC will be investing over ₹4,600 crore to drill 10 development wells, to set up two unmanned platforms, to lay an offshore pipeline, and to establish an onshore gas processing facility in Konaseema District of Andhra Pradesh. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has approached the Ministry of Environment and Forests seeking fresh environmental clearance for the proposed project, an Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the ministry said in the minutes of its meeting held on July 24. Letter of Award (LOA) for Offshore Oil and Gas Contract areas KG/OSDSF/CHANDRIKA/2021 (Chandrika) comprising an area 697 sq km and KG/OSDSF/GS49/2021 (GS49) comprising an area of 148 sq km in East coast were issued by Director General of Hydrocarbons in September 2022 under under DSF-III (Discovered Small Field-III). "Total land area required is 26.3 hectares (Odalarevu Terminal) for the proposed installation. Greenbelt will be developed in a total area of 8.7 hectares, i.e., 33 per cent of total project area. The estimated project cost is ₹4,606.35 crores," EAC said. "Capital cost of EMP (Environmental Management Plan) would be ₹14 crores and recurring cost for EMP would be ₹3 Crores per annum. Industry proposes to allocate ₹14 Crores towards Extended EMP (Corporate Environment Responsibility), the EAC has added. A development well is drilled in a proven area to produce oil or gas. These wells are drilled after exploration and appraisal drilling have confirmed the presence of commercially viable reserves. The project is expected to generate direct employment to 150 people and 310 indirect jobs. The proposal was earlier considered by the EAC in its meeting held during in February this year wherein the panel deferred the proposal and desired certain requisite information/inputs from the ONGC. The EAC in the latest meeting deferred the proposal seeking some more information. The Committee, among others, advised the PSU to conduct a comprehensive biodiversity assessment to evaluate the impact of drilling activities and to prepare an environmental restoration action plan, with a dedicated budgetary allocation for its implementation. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Ensured minimum disturbance while building Chenab, Anji bridges: LS told
To ensure minimum disturbance to Himalayan ecology, due care was taken for slope stabilisation and the best institutes were roped in for execution of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, including Chenab and Anji Bridge, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. On questions whether the government has conducted any environmental impact assessments of the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges in fragile Himalayan zones, the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided an elaborate response on Environmental Impact Assessments of the project. Vaishnaw said that Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project having a total length of 272 km has been recently commissioned and it covers Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla districts. The USBRL project is one of the most difficult new railway line projects undertaken in the country post-independence. The terrain passes through young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous problems, he said. The minister added that in this project, the Indian Railways have made the world's highest Rail Bridge over Chenab river in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1,315 meters long having an arch span of 467 meters and height of 359 meters above river bed. Indian Railway's first cable-stayed bridge has been constructed over Anji Khad in this project. Its bridge deck is 331 meters above the river bed level and height of its Main pylon is 193 meters, he informed the Lok Sabha. Talking about its social significance, Vaishnaw stated that the USBRL project has made substantial socio-economic contributions to the region, with employment generation being a significant aspect of its impact as the project has generated more than 5 crore man-days of employment. To ensure minimum disturbance to Himalayan ecology, due care has been taken for slope stabilisation and the best institutes of the world were roped in for execution of this project. Comprehensive schemes for slope stabilisation have been adopted as per NEERI guidelines and Detailed Design Consultants' suggestions to prevent erosion and damage to natural terrains, Vaishnaw said. He added, Slope stability at Chenab Bridge was designed by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore & IIT/Delhi. Other global firms having experience of such works were also engaged for independent check for slope stability for Chenab Bridge. Slope stability at Anji Bridge was also designed and proof checked by experienced global firms, the Railway minister said. Outlining the project's environmental measures, he said, Further, Environmental Impact Assessments due to construction of Katra-Qazigund new rail line, including Chenab and Anji Khad bridges have also been conducted through National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur. Extensive safeguards and mitigation measures have been implemented based on the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) prepared by NEERI, he said. Sedimentation tanks have been constructed at tunnel outlets before discharging into natural nallas to manage tunnel excavated material. Alternative water sources were provided to villages where natural sources were disrupted by resorting to reverse pumping, Vaishnaw said. Proper lined drains and stepped chutes were constructed at required locations to ensure smooth flow of surface water and prevent erosion at muck yards, he added. According to the Railway Minister, advanced techniques of controlled blasting were adopted during tunnelling to minimize vibrations and environmental damage. Sensors have been installed in all tunnels in the Katra-Banihal section to monitor the Air Quality during the operational phase also, he said. The entire rail project is electrified using an overhead conductor system in tunnels and in open stretches. Rail transportation is the most environment friendly transportation mode, significantly reducing carbon footprint compared to diesel traction, he added. He also highlighted that the specific measures for biodiversity conservation are delineated in the EMP, the overall environmental mitigation efforts contribute to protecting local ecology. Guidelines for site preparation for plantation activity on dumping sites include planting native species and turfing with grass for eco-restoration, Vaishnaw said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
South Wales Argus
26-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
South Wales recycling company hit with £64,000 fine over fire
The case was brought by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which found that the company failed to meet several key safety requirements under its environmental permit. SL Recycling Limited was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, 26 June 2025, after previously pleading guilty to three offences brought by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. The case related to a fire that broke out on 1 September 2021 at the company's site on Penallta Industrial Estate in the Caerphilly borough, after a lithium-ion battery exploded during the crushing of a vehicle shell. The blaze spread quickly through the main scrap metal stockpile, igniting around 150 tonnes of mixed materials including plastics, foam, lead batteries, electrical waste, gas cylinders, and machinery. It took firefighters from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service until the following afternoon to bring the fire under control. Permit failures The court found that SL Recycling had failed to follow key requirements of its Fire Prevention Plan and Environmental Management Plan, including: Allowing waste stockpiles to exceed the 4-metre height limit Failing to keep piles sufficiently separated Not providing an adequate f ire quarantine area Failing to minimise pollution risks as set out in its permit NRW officers had previously warned the company about excessive stockpile height during a February 2021 site visit. The fire's intensity and the excessive volume of material made it difficult to contain, with inadequate space on-site to isolate and extinguish burning waste. Environmental impact Efforts to extinguish the fire overwhelmed the site's drainage system, resulting in contaminated water, including waste oil, flowing off-site into nearby watercourses. The pollution had a significant impact on the Nant Cylla and River Rhymney confluence, with effects observed along a 2.3km stretch. NRW identified: Strong odours of oil and fuel Foam and staining along the riverbank High levels of suspended solids in the water At least 175 dead fish, including trout and bullhead, confirmed through a biological and fisheries survey Sentence SL Recycling Limited was fined £64,000 for Count 1, with no additional penalties for Counts 2 and 3. The company was also ordered to pay £30,000 in prosecution costs and a £190 victim surcharge. After the hearing, David Griffiths, industry and waste team leader at NRW said: 'Environmental regulations are in place for a reason. 'Failure to comply with the legal requirements of an environmental permit is a serious offence that can damage the environment, undermine those who adhere to the rules and cause misery for local communities. 'This case demonstrates what can happen when operators don't adhere to the conditions of their permits. Their actions to disregard our warnings about the height of the stockpile led to this fire, which ultimately led to significant environmental impacts. 'We welcome the sentence handed down today and hope that it serves as a strong reminder to waste operators that any disregard for environmental regulations will not be tolerated.' The level of fine for environmental offences is set by the courts and is based on the level of harm, culpability, and the financial means of the defendants. Anyone who witnesses an environmental incident can report it to NRW by calling 0300 065 3000 or using the online reporting tool at Natural Resources Wales.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
No seabed tin mining in Manjung
IPOH: No seabed tin mining activity is taking place along the coastal area or the estuary of Sungai Batu in the Manjung district, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. He said the Minerals and Geoscience Department of Malaysia (JMG) has confirmed that no Mining Operation Scheme Approval Letter (SKSPM) has been issued for mining activities in the area. 'Any mining activity can only proceed once SKSPM approval from JMG is received. Although an application has been submitted, it is still under evaluation by the SKSPM Committee at JMG Headquarters, and no operational approval has been granted. 'At present, only silica sand mining is being carried out by the developer, based on the approval of the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) dated June 13, 2023. This activity is taking place five kilometres from the turtle landing site at Pasir Panjang beach.' He said this when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Saarani also said that the Perak State Land and Mines Office (PTG) has designated the coastal area as a Category 3 Coastal Environmentally Sensitive Area (KSAS) under the revised Manjung District Local Plan (RTD) 2030. This designation is due to the region's marine ecosystem, so mining activities are prohibited. 'A decision was also made by the Technical Committee on Mineral Development Geospatial on Oct 7, 2024, not to consider any new mining applications or license renewals in the area, in line with the state government's commitment to protecting the environment and the interests of the fishing community,' he added. On Feb 14, over 1,500 fishermen who rely on coastal resources for their livelihoods urged authorities to revoke approval for a seabed tin mining project planned along the district's coastline. They alleged that permission for mining was given from the estuary of Sungai Batu to Tanjung Batu, an area that is a primary source of income for local fishermen.
