AGARTALA, August 6 (TIWN): The Parliament was recently informed about the Chambal fertilizer plant to be set up in the land-locked state of Tripura. However, the project being undertaken by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited which signed a pact with the Chambal fertilizer is yet to get a nod whereas on the other hand the ONGC, Tripura Asset is eyeing forward to get the environmental clearance soon after which the exploration of gas would commence at the site, said official source.The official informed that a decision would be taken on the project based on the pre-feasibility study, which is underway, identification of land and ascertaining the availability of gas.Chambal Fertilisers has signed a pact with ONGC and the Tripura government to set up a urea plant in the state.Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd. (CFCL) has informed the Parliament recently that a non-binding memorandum of understanding has been signed amongst Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), CFCL and Govt of Tripura to conceptualise and expand a gas based fertiliser plant in Tripura.

Besides, it has been learnt that the Department of Fertilisers would facilitate the setting up of the urea plant by taking up matters like allocation of gas and providing gas connectivity with the Petroleum Ministry.

“We did not get the forest and environment clearance yet now due to cumbersome procedures," said official source. Adding to that he said “It would take another short period of time as the Prime Minister level committee is already in agreement with the issue of the gas exploration at Trishna Sanctuary.”

As per law and the apex court direction, no mining work can be done in the wildlife sanctuary without proper sanction, but is to mention that the ONGC would not carry any kind of mining at the sanctuary in Trishna as this would damage the present ecological balance.”

Therefore the project work would be sanctioned as earliest as possible once the Supreme Court of India orders positive to it, he said adding that the ONGC had already taken up advance action towards the immediate drilling of those three wells at Trishna sanctuary.

However, according to the official ONGC will be able to get 5 lakh cubic metric ton of gas per day, once they start the plant after receiving the environmental clearance from the SC. “At present, our capacity to generate gas is 3.95 million standard cubic meter per day (MSCMD) and it would increase to 6.35 MSCMD in 2-3 years,” he added.

However, the three giant gas reserves found in the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary of southern Tripura during the year 2000 would be explored very soon after the ONGC Tripura Asset receive the environmental clearance which has hit the gas exploration for the past 15 years.