Gas pipeline project-Residents strictly oppose land use

Gas pipeline project-Residents strictly oppose land use

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 5, 2014: In a meeting held to discuss the land acquisition for laying HPCL pipeline on Mangalore - Hassan-Mysore-Solur route at the DC office on July 4, residents of Belthangady taluk came down heavily against the officials of petrochemical industries for not taking necessary measures to prevent the leakage of petroleum gas in the pipeline that passes through populated places of Dakshina Kannada.

A resident of Puduvettu village pointed out hazardous fuels were leaking from the pipeline belonging to Petronet at Santhaya in Puduvettu. Even complaints about the leakage to the officials five months ago  have not got action to prevent the leakage, he said. He expressed grave concerns over the probabilities of disaster due to explosion in the area. “When there is no proper mechanism in place for the safety of the people, there is no question of giving our land for laying another LPG pipeline,” he affirmed.

When HPCL official Muralidhar stated he was ignorant of the leakage, the farmers took the official to task.  Puduvettu GP President Abdul Gafoor raised the issues that the equipment installed by the petrochemical company to find out leakage is defunct. The officials are ignorant of complaints. When such is the situation, great danger looms ahead and will take responsibility  for disasters?

Responding to the complaints, Superintendent of Police Sharanappa directed the HPCL officials to conduct a study on the LPG leakage and theft and come out with a detailed report with photographs within three days.

In the wake of opposition from the villagers of Neriya to the land acquisition for construction of pump house as a part of the proposed HPCL LPG pipeline, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim has decided to go for a spot inspection on July 8.

Landowners of Neriya opposed the land acquisition for the pump house at Pilikala at Neriya in Belthangady taluk. Alternatively they pointed out to the DC to acquire land belonging to a farmer at Kuvetthilu instead of Pilikala as the farmer had agreed to give his land. Farmer leaders Kanagal Murthy and S R Vijay Kumar said that the farmers will not allow land acquisition with present low compensation offered.   The officials should consider the revised land acquisition act while laying the pipeline, they agitated.