Chennai: Unwilling to scrap the Neduvasal hydrocarbon extraction project, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday made a passionate plea to the villagers “not to fall prey to misconceptions” about the project and vowed to allay their apprehension on every count.

Meeting representatives from Neduvasal, the village in Pudukottai district that shot to fame with its concerted protest against the hydrocarbon project, Pradhan and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took pains to explain to them in detail how the ambitious project would not affect their farmlands but would only help develop the area.

Though the villagers persisted with their known stand of opposition to the project, Pradhan and Nirmala told them that the Petroleum Ministry was even ready to conduct tripartite talks between the Union Government, State Government and the locals to find out an amicable solution to the raging controversy.

The villagers protested for more than 15 days against the project and withdrew their agitation only after the Tamil Nadu Government made a categorical statement that it would not allow any such project in the state.

“There is no need to fear that there would be damage to buildings and water bodies in Neduvasal village. But one thing I would like to make clear is that we cannot implement the project without your support and cooperation. We believe you people will reason in our stand and accept the project for the benefit of the nation,” Pradhan told the villagers.

Contending that the project will benefit Tamil Nadu, the minister suggested to the villagers to choose any IIT of their choice to give expert opinion about the benefits of the project. At this juncture, Nirmala Sitharaman intervened and asked the villagers to go by facts and “not to believe what you hear.”

Pradhan said he would depute petroleum secretary to arrange for tripartite talks between the three parties. “I will also talk to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on the matter and arrange for early meeting of three parties,” Pradhan said.