RAJAHMUNDRY: Environmentalists have expressed concern and displeasure over the selection of a site for setting up a refinery near Kakinada. They have stated that the ONGC has no business in selecting the site or insist on it. The proposed refinery can be established in any place other than Kakinada as the town is vulnerable for cyclonic storms, tsunami and sea erosion.

Head of Environment Centre Tallavajjula Patanjali Sastry on Thursday asked the Government to specify the norms under which the refinery will be set up. He said that the Government could move little upwards near Tondangi mandal and that the establishment of refinery would not create jobs.

"Only six to ten persons are enough onshore and employment for labour will be provided. Except this, there will be no employment generation, he felt.

He said thousands of acres of fertile lands would have to be acquired for setting up the refinery.

He wanted the Government to abandon the refinery project and advised it to take up other industries like bee keeping, honey and medicinal plants on the lines of Kerala instead of going for hazardous industries.

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