No KG link to basin land sink

Hyderabad
Nov. 10: A sub-committee formed by the ministry of environment and forests has said that there is no direct evidence available to indicate land subsidence (motion of the land surface as it shifts downward) in Coastal Andhra due to the large-scale extraction of oil and gas in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
The committee said from geological considerations as well, the region does not appear to be prone to significant land subsidence.
The committee observed that the extent of the reservoir in KG basin is much smaller when compared to the other areas in the world where subsidence has been reported.
However, it suggested that an expert organisation, like the Indian School of Mines, may be entrusted with a detailed study on existing or likely land subsidence in this region.
The committee was formed in September following a High Court ruling.
As per the committee, chaired by Mr R.K. Garg, a problem of underground water getting salinated in certain locations has been observed.
“For salination of underground water, the exact reason needs to be studied. Some studies have suggested that extensive aqua-culture in the region could be a factor,” the sub-committee said.

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