ONGC, GAIL Directed to Meet CSR Obligations in Konaseema after Safety Concerns

Konaseema, a scenic region in Andhra Pradesh’s Godavari delta, has once again come into focus as authorities and local communities urge oil and gas giants ONGC and GAIL to fulfil their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations in the area. The call comes in the wake of repeated industrial accidents and concerns over environmental and public health safety.

Recently, the Andhra Pradesh Human Rights Forum (HRF) accused ONGC of neglecting safety protocols, pointing to a hydrogen sulphide gas leak at the company’s Kesanapalli gas collection station in Konaseema. The incident, which occurred on March 12, affected nine workers and even caused a four-year-old child to fall ill. Officials attributed the leak to poor maintenance, specifically the build-up of micro-organisms and their anaerobic respiration. HRF described this as a serious violation of safety norms, highlighting a pattern of industrial accidents in the region and a lack of preventive measures as well as weak regulatory enforcement.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also weighed in on the matter, directing ONGC to pay compensation to the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board for causing large-scale air, sound, soil, and water pollution in the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts. The NGT further instructed both ONGC and GAIL to operate strictly in line with environmental norms and to ensure their CSR funds are utilised as mandated by law. The tribunal’s order followed a petition from a local resident, who alleged that both companies lacked adequate pollution control mechanisms and failed to install proper gas leakage detection systems in nearly 100 villages across the Godavari districts.

ONGC, a government-owned Maharatna company, has stated that it spends around ₹2 crore annually on CSR activities in the Konaseema area, with a focus on women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship programmes. The company says it is keen to support innovative and result-oriented initiatives in its operational areas, including Konaseema. Nationally, ONGC claims to achieve 100% utilisation of its CSR budget, with significant investments in health care, education, and rural development. However, local communities and rights groups argue that these efforts have not been sufficient to address the risks posed by oil and gas operations in Konaseema.

GAIL, another major player in the region, has been directed by the NGT to comply with all statutory environmental recommendations and to obtain the necessary clearances for its operations.While GAIL undertakes various CSR initiatives across India—such as skill development, rural infrastructure, and women’s empowerment—there is little specific information available about its projects in Konaseema.

The repeated incidents and ongoing concerns have led to mounting pressure on both ONGC and GAIL to not only improve safety standards but also to ensure that their CSR activities directly benefit the affected communities in Konaseema. Authorities and advocacy groups are calling for transparent, accountable, and impactful CSR interventions that go beyond routine spending and address the pressing needs of the region, especially in areas of health, environment, and disaster preparedness.

As Konaseema continues to grapple with the dual challenges of industrial development and environmental safety, the spotlight remains firmly on ONGC and GAIL to fulfil both their legal and moral responsibilities towards the people and the land that host their operations.

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