Proceedinqs of the Environmental Public Hearinq of M/s.PFH Oil & Gas for the proposed for Work over of I Abandoned Well & Development Drilling of 5 New Wells and Subsequent Gas Production in Bhimanapalli. Nanqavaram. Sanavalli of Uppalaquptam Mandal & Lakshmivada, . Uppidi of Mandal of . In accordance with the Notification No.S.0.1533. Dt.14.09.2006 of Ministry of Environment & Forests. Government of , New Delhi, the Environmental Engineer, Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, published Notification in two leading Telugu & English newspapers for conducting Public Hearing and inviting suggestions, views, comments and objections from the Public on the proposed for Work over of 1 Abandoned Well & Development Drilling of 5 New Wells and Subsequent Gas Production in Bhimanapalli, Nangavaram, Sanavalli of Mandal & Lakshmivada, Bantumilli, Uppidi of of East Godavari District. The Public Hearing was held on 23.11.2018 at 10:30 AM Gram Panchayat Office, Bheemanapalli Village, Uppalaguptam Mandal, East Godavari District. The proceedings of the above Public Hearing are as follows:

The following Panel of Public Hearing was present and recorded the proceedings:

1) Smt. S.V.S. Subba Lakshmi District Revenue Officer & Addl. District Magistrate East Godavari District. Chairperson of the Panel.

2) Sri A. Ramarao Naidu Environmental Engineer, APPCB, Regional Office, Kakinada. Member Convener,

The attendance of the Public Hearing is kept as Annexure CA'. At the outset, the Environmental Engineer, A.P.Pollution Control Board, Regional Office, Kakinada, welcomed the District Revenue Officer &. Addl. District Magistrate, East Godavari District for the proposed pubic hearing. He also welcomed the public representatives and the general public to the Public Hearing. He informed to the public that M/s.PFH Oil & Gas approached A.P. Pollution Control Board on 09.10.2018 on the proposed for Work over of 1 Abandoned Well & Development Drilling of 5 New Wells and Subsequent Gas Production in Bhimanapalli, Nangavaram, Sanavalli of Uppalaguptam Mandal & Lakshmivada. Bantumilli. Uppidi of Katrenikona Mandal of East Godavari District with Terms of Reference (TORs). Copy issued by Ministry of Environment & Forest and Climate Change, along with required number of copies of draft EtA, Executive summaries and requested for conducting Public Hearing as per procedure laid down in Environment Impact Assessment (EtA) Notification, 2006. The District Collector, East Godavari District, Kakinada has nominated the District Revenue Officer & Addl. District Magistrate, East Godavari District as Chairperson of the Panel for conducting the Public Hearing. The Collector & District Magistrate, East Godavari District, Kakinada suggested, date, time and venue for conduct of Environmental Public Hearing. After approval and fixation of the same by the Member Secretary, A.P. Pollution Control Board: the Regional Office, Kakinada issued a Paper notification and the same was published on 23.10.2018 in The New Indian Express & Sakshi daily news papers. He also informed to the public that in the paper notification people are requested to attend the public hearing to express their views, suggestions, objections, comments etc. The required information i.e. Draft EtA report and Executive Summary in Telugu & English both hard & soft copies were kept in the respective places for public access at the offices of District Collector; Zilla Prasishad; District Industries Centre, Kakinada; Revenue Divisional Officer, : Tahsidar, Uppalaguptam; Tahsildar, Katrenikona; Panchayat Secretary, Nangavaram, Sanavalli, Bhimanapalli of Uppalaguptam Mandal & Lakshmivada, Bantumilli & Uppidi of Katrenikona Mandal, East Godavari District and also requested for wide publicity about the Public Hearing in the area. The information was also communicated to the Joint Director, MoEF&CC, Regional Office, Chennai: Regional, Zonal, Head Offices of A.P. Pollution Control Board as per the procedure laid in the EtA Notification, 2006 inviting views, objections, suggestions from the public. He also informed that the APPCB on 16.11.2018 addressed letter to the concerned Panchayat Secretary i.e. Nangavaram, Sanavalli, Bhimanapalli, Lakshmivada, Bantumilli & Uppidi for giving wide publicity about the proposed Public Hearing by way of Tom Tom/through Public address system. He requested the District Revenue Officer, East Godavari District and Chairperson of the Public Hearing panel to start the proceedings.

The District Revenue Officer & Addl. District Magistrate, East Godavari District welcomed the general public to the public hearing on the proposed for Work over of 1 Abandoned Well & Development Drilling of 5 New Wells and Subsequent Gas Production in Bhimanapalli, Nangavaram, Sanavalli of Uppalaguptam Mandal & 3

Lakshmivada, Bantumilli, Uppidi of Katrenikona Mandal of East Godavari District. She also informed to the public that the stake holders i.e. representatives of the industry would explain the project details and opportunity would be given to all the general public attended from the proposed six villages to express their doubts, suggestions. It is an open forum to express views of the public independently. She requested the project authorities of the proposed project to explain about the proposed project in detail.

The Environmental Engineer, A.P. Pollution Control Board requested the project proponent to explain the proposed project in detail.

Sri Syam Sundar, Environment Consultant M/s.Bhagavathi Ana Labs explained that the Government of India has allocated marginal fields in this area to PFH Oil & Gas for exploration of Oil & Gas. ONGC explored 2 wells in way back in 1984, out of which Uppidi-I was temporarily closed for non-viability and same would be reopened and rework out by PFH Oil & Gas, besides this 5 Nos. of new wells proposed to be explored by M/s.PFH Oil & Gas. There were no archeologically impartment & endangered places within 10KM radius from the project area. However, Gowthami Godavari is flowing at a distance of about 3KM from the project site and Bay of Bengal is existing at about 3.5KM and Mada Forest at about 7.2 KMs, and Pandikuppa Reserve Forest at 5.8KMs. The area of the block is about 18.2 Sq.Kms. About Rs.10.0 Crores required for drilling of each well, about 1.0Ha. of site is required for drilling of each well. The proposed well would fall in Bhimanapalli, Nangavaram, Sanavalli of Uppalaguptam Mandal & Lakshmivada, Bantumilli, Uppidi of Katrenikona Mandal. The exact location of the wells would be finalized after detailed survey. The drilling of wells would be carried out, without disturbing the existing greenery, water storage tanks, in best possible way. The permissions required for acquisition of land would be obtained on temporary basis either from private person or Government land_ Drilling of wells would be carried out for maximum period of 40-60 days only. If any hydrocarbon oil, gas available, the wells would be closed with throat preventer temporarily. If no Oil & Gas is available, the wells would be closed completely and no further work would be carried out.

The Government of India has issued TORs to the proposed project in March, 2018 under EIA Notification 2006 to carry out the Environmental study. As per TORs, draft EIA report was prepared. For the proposed drilling of wells water based Red Mud would be used. About 25KL/day/well of water would be required for preparation of water based mud. For each camp site, 2.5 MW power is required and same would be met from DG Set. About 20-40 people would be employed from locals during the drilling of 4 wells. As per primary Environment Impact Assessment, the ambient air quality in the area is within the standards of CPCB norms. The ground water quality in study area is as per B1S105054. As per study report, no endangered species existing in study area. Water sprinkling would be carried out during dry season, in order to prevent dust nuisance. The machinery proposed to be used for carrying out drilling activity, would be maintained properly in order to avoid sound and dust nuisance during the drilling activity.

While carrying out the drilling of wells, blowout preventer would be installed at well mouth, so as to prevent impact on Environment. All the machinery would be well maintained, in order to decrease the noise pollution. Except drilling activity, all the other works would be carried out to the extent possible in day time only. Personal protective equipment would be provided to all the employee working at drill site. About BKLIday of wastewater would be generated due to drilling at each site, and same would be released to HDPE lined pit only, and they would not release outside at any circumstances. The drill mud/drill cuttings generated would also be stored in HDPE lined pits, and same would be sent to nearby TSDF for final disposal. After completion of drilling activity, the sites would be brought back into its original shape, for which they would take all measures such as greenery development, removal of temporary constructions, waste material & machinery. If any gas I oil is available, the site would be fenced and a security ground would be deployed. If no gas/oil is available, the site would be given back to the land owner after taking all the measures to bring it to its original shape. If any greenery is disturbed during drilling activity, native species of saplings would be planted. Small quantity of solid waste generated would be disposed off as per the norms of APPCB & MoEF&CC, Gol to the recognized recyclers only. Service activity would be developed in this area due to Oil & Gas production. Locals would also be benefitted by way of employment generation. Gas based small scale industries may also come such as ceramic industries just beside these wells.

Due to production of Oil & Gas locally, the burden of import of Oil & Gas will decrease, and the gap between oil production & utilization will also come down. Due to the proposed Oil & Gas production, the Central Government would get 42% revenue & State Government would get 12%royalty on oil production and 10% royalty on gas. thus 54% 'of revenue would go to Government. At drill sites, employment for 20-40 persons would be provided for at-least 3 months. Though the proposed activity is very small. considerable employment to the locals would be provided directly & indirectly by way of transportation and industrial development in the area.

The Environmental Engineer, Kakinada requested the general public to express to their views, suggestions, objections if any one by one.

Sri Subbarao, Rlo.Bhimanapali Village informed that the proposed activity is not good, as stated by Human Rights Commission. He also expressed his concerns that the roads would be damaged by the machinery & also pollutes atmosphere in the area. Water would also pollute. It would not be benefitted to the local students I un-employed youth and benefit to Central Government only and roads would also be damaged.

Sri R.Srinivas expressed his concerns that the proponent shall inform the measures that already taken in the worked out existing well, and then only the proponent has to start the drilling of 5Nos. of new wells. Earlier, they have staged dharnas against the Air & Noise pollution, and the officials given some assurance, but are not implemented till date. The employment provided to the locals, CSR funds allocated to this area earlier by the existing Oil & Gas units shall be informed, then only they would accept the proposed activity in the area.

Sri GNageswara Rao expressed his concerns that if the drilling activity carries in this area, they would live with scary hallucination, citing the example of Nagaram blast & Pasaralpudi blowout, and they are against the proposed activity. He also expressed his concerns that due to this activity the Air, Soil & Water would be polluted and requested the project proponent not to proceed the proposed further. He also expressed his concerns that the CSR funds allocated for the development of local area, are spending in other places outside their mandal. No employment was provided to the locals earlier.

Sri S.Sathiraju expressed his concerns that the public hearing is proposed without clarity on exact location, village, mandal etc., He also expressed that due to drilling activity. Earlier, the roads were completely damaged and staged dharna and the assurance given by the then authorities have not implemented till date, and the well was connected to GAIL and causing heavy noise & also occurred fire accident, due to which they were much scared. Earlier, they have staged dharnas for allocation of CSR Funds by M/s.Cairn Energy Limited and allocated Rs.1 OCr. per annum to their mandal. Though, the CSR funds allocated shall be spent within their mandal only, but, the funds are spending constitution wise, without developing the villages in this Uppalaguptam mandal. No permanent employment provided by the existing industry to the locals, 6 besides small, unskilled & temporary base employment and the local people have staging dharnas every day for employment. He requested the project proponent to proceed further duly consulting and obtaining specific consent of the local village people, where the drilling activity is proposed.

Sri G.Krishna Rao, RIo.Uppidi Village informed that a well was drilled at Uppidi Village 6 years earlier and the proponent has proposed to re-open the same in the proposed project. The drill site is located in close proximity to their village at a distance of about less than 200mtrs., and their village is located less than 1 KM radial distance from the proposed well. The Uppidi Village is a minor Gram Panchayat and MIs.ONGC had not taken up any development activity earlier. He also informed that three more drill points proposed within the 1.5Kms radius from their village, and expressed his concerns that due to drilling activity, they would face lot of pollution problems. He also informed that though their village is a minor Gram Panchayat, they have developed good infrastructure such as roads and apprehended that due to drilling activity in their village, the roads already developed in the village would be damaged. He also demanded for employment to their villagers. While welcoming the project, he requested the project authorities and government to take preventive measures and without adverse affect on the environment. He also requested the project authorities shall ensure local development. He also expressed his concerns that about 123 houses are existing at a distance of less than 200mtrs., from the proposed site and the drilling activity would cause severe noise pollution to the nearby residents and the authorities shall notice the same.

Sri D.Lakshmi Narayana, ZPTC, Uppalaguptam informed that the project authorities proposed to re-open and re-work out a well at Uppidi Village and one more well was drilled long ago about 20years and the ONGC authorities have not provided employment even to one person and not employed security guard for the well. He also informed that the authorities have not even provided fencing to the existing well at Surayyapalem Village from which gas is being produced. He informed that the people in this area scared about their life, due to Nagaram blast incident and expressed his concerns that the authorities not even deploying one security guard at the well site. He also informed that with lot of difficulty they have laid cement roads in their villages and the project authorities utilize these roads for their drilling activity and expressed his concerns that the already developed roads would be damaged due to this activity. The existing Oil & Gas exploration authorities in this area carrying their operations using the 7 innocence of people of this area. The authorities not even carried out the patch work of damaged roads. The project authorities shall ensure that the existing infrastructure facilities shall not be destroyed due to this activity. Due to drilling activity using old machinery would lead to sound nuisance and health problems to the nearby residents and project authorities shall ensure proper measures and well maintained machinery operations in order to avoid sound nuisance and health problems to the nearby residents. Operation of diesel generator of about 2.51AW capacity would cause lot of noise pollution and suggested alternative fuel such as gas instead of diesel shall be used. He also expressed his concerns that the project authorities carries their drilling activity throughout the day, instead of day time only. He also expressed his concerns that due to movement of heavy vehicles, the roads would be damaged. While welcoming the project, demanded the project authorities that an exact environment precautionary plan shall be given, in order to prevent damage of roads and control of pollution in the area. He also expressed his concerns that the negligence of development of villages, from where the corporate companies exploring oil & gas is not correct, and the companies shall ensure the socio economic development of this area. He also expressed his concerns that the corporate companies have been following only 10% of their commitment under allocation of CSR funds and environment protection measures. The project authorities should ensure 100% fulfillment of allocation of CSR funds environment protection measures. He also demanded for compensation to the farmers of the lands adjacent to the proposed acquired land for drilling, as the adjacent lands were also witnessing damage due to drilling activity. Proper measures shall be taken for treatment and disposal of wastewater. He also expressed his concerns that the corporate companies have not been following environmental laws intentionally and demanded for 100% compliance of the environmental laws by the project authorities and then only they would accept the proposal.

Sri T.Raja, MPP, Uppataguptam on behalf of Uppalaguptam Mandal, expressed his concerns that until conducting a meeting by constituting a committee with Revenue officials, MPDO, people's representatives and company officials to sort out the pollution problems and developmental activities in this area, they would not accept the proposal of the project authorities for carrying their drilling operations, citing that they have already failed two times with the commitments given earlier by the existing corporate companies for development of the area. The authorities have not been taking any measures such as sprinkling of water and development of greenbelt as explained by the project proponent. 8 Sri Venkateswara Rao, R/oNangavaram Village informed that their MPP already expressed all the issues pertaining to pollution problems, damage of roads, land compensations and allocation of funds for area development and expressed his concerns that the companies have not been implementing the assurances given by them. Due to drilling activity, the lands in this area are being witnessed land subsidence, thereby the farmers in this area loosing their agricultural crops. He also expressed his concerns that they have not getting rains in time and only during the cyclones they have been witnessing heavy downpour, thereby inundation of agriculture lands, due to activities of ONGC in this area. He also expressed his concerns that due to blowout at the well site in close proximity to their Nangavaram Village earlier, the people of the village scared and spent many sleepless nights. He also expressed his concerns that no development was taken up in their village, in-spite of the assurance of allocation of Rs.1.0 Crore to their mandal and CSR funds are being spent District wise instead of confined to mandal level. While welcoming the project, the suggested that 50% of funds may be allocated to the concerned village development, where drilling activity is proposed to be carried out and remaining 50% funds shall be utilized within the mandal, otherwise they would not agree with the proposal.

Sri K.Ramesh, Rio.Bhimanapalli Village expressed his concerns that the existing oil & gas exploration units citing the example of M/s.Vedanta Limited, S.Yanam that no funds allocated to their village development till date and the oil companies have been taking up their activities without any responsibility. He also expressed his concerns that the oil companies not even providing security personals at drill sites and he questioned that if, any untoward incident occurs at drill site, who will intimate the incident to the officials, who would decide generally at Rajamahendravaram and Visakhapatnam and opined that delay in this process lead to disaster in this area. He also expressed his concerns that the people of this area not known to whom, they have to contact during emergency. He suggested that a committee shall be constituted with project proponent with responsible person, representative of the people and with local people. MRO & MDO at Mandal level to sort out the pollution problems in this area and for allocation of funds for area development. He also expressed his concerns that even technically qualified persons available in this area, the oil companies have been employing people from outside such as Orissa. Bihar and he demanded for first preference shall be given to locals only, then only they would accept the proposal. The project authorities shall take responsibility of village & damaged roads development. He also demanded for justice to all the villages existing in Mandal for development, citing the example that 9 many lives lost during the Nagaram blast. He also expressed his concerns that no responsible person and no phone number available in this area to contact during the emergency of any pipe leakages. He also suggested that quality pipelines shall be laid to avoid pollution problems. He also suggested that the project authorities shall adopt Government Hospital at Bhimanapalli & Uppalaguptam for development & operation. He also suggested that security persons shall be employed at drill sites, so that during the emergency immediate intimation will reach higher officials. He also suggested that compensation shall be given to the farmers of coconut gardens in this area if any damage occurs.

Sri Bhairava Swamy, R/oBhimanapalli expressed his concerns that one well is operating in close proximity to their village at a distance of about lOOmtrs., only and not provided any fencing to the well and while welcoming the project, he demanded that compensation shall be fixed for each proposed well in presence of Government officials and people's representatives and also expressed his concerns that land was acquired forcibly from the farmer for drilling of well and the oil company has been still releasing pollution thereby causing smell nuisance in the area. Compensation to the farmers has been given in hundreds of rupees only by the contractors and demanded compensation of at least Rs.10000/- per well per farmer and it shall be commftted, before the presence of people's representatives.

Sri H.Madhu Babu, Environmentalist informed that he has given a representation incorporating all the benefits and losses due to the proposed project. He suggested that the project proponent shall take all the precautionary measures while carrying the drilling activity. He also suggested to the project authorities that the apprehensions/misconceptions expressed by the local representatives of the people shall be clarified. He also suggested that the project authorities shall give priority for local employment and area development. He also suggested that the CSR/CER funds shall be allocated to the affected areas only. While welcoming the project, he suggested that the project authorities shall carry their operations without adverse affect on the environment and requested the authorities to recommend the proposed project to MoEF&CC, Gol for approval.

Sri Y.Chenna Kesava Reddy, NGO informed that the proposed project is a private company and he suggested that appropriate compensation shall be given to the land owners. He also suggested that the CSR/CER funds shall be allocated to the affected areas within 10 KMs radius only and the funds shall be utilized only for skill 10 development and other development activities in the concerned villages. He also suggested to the project authorities that the area at which drilling activity proposed shall be properly fenced and contact number shall be displayed at the site, to intimate during any emergency. He also suggested that the project authorities shall provide security personal at each drill site and compensation shall be given to the farmers if any damage occurs. He also suggested that the project authorities shall provide employment to the local technical persons. Proper care shall be taken to prevent damage to the existing roads. He also suggested that the project authorities shall adopt the villages to improve the ground water table and develop greenbelt of at-least 33% as per CPCB norms. He also suggested that the mud generated during the drilling activity shall be safely disposed. While welcoming the project, he suggested that the project authorities shall carry their operations without adverse affect on the environment and requested the authorities to recommend the proposed project to MoEF&CC, Gol for approval.

Sri Sagar welcomed the project and requested the MoEF&CC for grant of Environmental Clearance. He also suggested that the project authorities shall give employment to the locals only.

Sri Ravindaranath Tagore, Asa Jyothi Society, Vijayawada opined that the area would be developed economically, educationally and socially only if industries come up in the area and also opined that due to industrial establishments only, many of the countries have become developed. While welcoming the project, he requested the project authorities that employment shall be provided to the concerned village people and shall co-ordinate for development of the area.

The District Revenue Officer & Addl. District Magistrate, East Godavari District and Chairperson of the panel for conduct of public hearing informed that the people expressed their views orally and also through representations. She also informed that the management shall provide proper fencing at well site and security personal shall be deployed at each site before commencement of their operations. She also informed that contact number of the concerned person shall also be displayed at the drill site, to inform the any untoward situation. Local employment shall be provided to the concerned villagers. The roads damaged due to the proposed activity shall be repaired and maintained properly. Maximum woks shall be carried out in day time only. Quality pipelines shall be laid for transportation of oil & gas. The project authorities shall also ensure that the CSR funds allocated shall be spent within the area only by adopting 11 villages. Greenbelt shall be compulsorily developed, in order to prevent pollution problems. Many representations received from the general public and all would be sent to Gol along with proceedings of this meeting. She also informed to the public that a committee would be constituted with RDO, MRO & MDO to sort out the issues raised by the general public, before carrying their proposed operations.

During the process of Public Hearing the following representations were received and the same are kept as Annexure.

Sri S.Ranga Rao, NGO Bharathi Rural & Urban Development Society (A Volume Organization) 2. Sri Chandra Sekhar, Sri Vamshi Arts Academy, Social Voluntary Organization, H.No.5-.48, Meruwada, Raamannapet-5081 13 Nalgonda District. 3. Sri L.Satish, Adarsha Youth Association, Social Voluntary Organization, H.No.5-60, Ramannapeta-508113 Yadadri Bhongiri 4. Sri H.Madhu Babu, President, Rural Environment Education and Health Awareness Society, #1-7-495/9, Musheerabad ,Hyderabad. 5. Sri T.Krishnaiah, Safe Earth Foundation, B-617, Near Ganesh Temple, Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad 6. Sri A.Sudarshan, Cheyutha Rural Development Society, Wadapally(V), Damaracherla(M), Nalgonda 7. Sri M.Naga Raju, Sankalpa Swachanda Seva Samsta, Medaram(V), P.A. Patty (M), Nalgonda District. 8. Sri Thota Hussain Naidu, Jathiya Paryavarana Parirakshana Committee (NVPT) Convener, 9. Sri N.Venkateswarulu, National President Dharani Paryavarana Vikasa Samstha 10. Sri P.Ramarao, State President Green Field Environment Organization, H. No.1 3/272/A,Gavaraju Nilayam, Kothapeta,Ramjan All Road, Rangareddy District

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11. Sri S.Venkateswarulu, Neethaa Swachanda Seva Society, D.No.40/321 -6-Al Sanjeeva Sadan, Abdullah Khan Estate. Kurnool 12. Sri YChenna Kesava Reddy, Danda Kondamma Charitable Trust, T.Sunkesula (V), Yerraguuntla R.S (M) Y.S.R. District. 13. Sri P.Venu Gopal, Chairman Sri Vasavi Charitable Trust, H.No.11/80, Upstairs, Sundaracharla Street, Proddatur 14. Sri Y.Mahananda Reddy, Vice Chairman Danda Kondamma Charitable Trust, T.Sunkesula(V), Yerraguntal R.S.(M 15. Villagers of Uppidi, Katrenikona Mandal 16. Sri J.Ravindranath Tagore, Asha Jyothi, For Poor Orphan Child Home D.No.16-1-23, C.K.Reddy Road, Poornanandam Pet, Vijyawada 17. Smt. K.Renuka Asha Jyothi, For Poor Orphan Child Home D.No.16-1-23. C.K.Reddy Road, Poornanandam Pet, Vijayawada 18. Sri S.Srinivasulu. President Jai Bheem Youth Association Plot No.45/B, Hayath Nagar, RR District 19. Sri K.Rangarao, President Environmental Pollution Control Soceity, #11-14-132, Siri Nagar, LB Nagar, Saroor Nagar, Hyderabad. 20. Sri Chevuri Raju, State Secretary Dalitha Bahujana Party, Central Office, Flat No.303, 3 Floor Mogal Apartments, Hyderabad.

District R,4enue Officer and AddI. District Magistrate East Godavari District. Environmental Engineer A.P. Pollution Control Board, Regional Office: Kakinada.