Udupi: Villagers stage protest against ISPRL project

Udupi: Villagers stage protest against ISPRL project

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, August 9: The villagers of Majoor Gram Panchayat along with local residents of Padur, Heroor and Majoor villages have demonstrated a protest against the construction of the first phase Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) project in Padur village. The protests were held at UBMC Church premises here on Monday, August 9.

 

In the protest, , Majoor Taluk Panchayat member Arun Shetty said that the ongoing construction works on the main stretch connecting Padur UBMC School and Shanthigudde is fully packed with dilemma. The serial landmine blasts in Padur village has created panic among the residents of surrounding areas. The houses have developed damages after the serial landmine explosion, he said. The students of UBMC School were also present at the protest.

Expressing sadness over the risk faced by the students while going to school, Heroor UBMC School Headmistress Shalee Kunder said that the project has jeopardized the life of students. She further stated that over 70 children are studying in the school. Parents are worried over the security of their children.  The school and the church are in the same compound premises. If the area is fenced, then the school and church will be cut off from the outside world, she said.

   
Anganawadi worker Vatsala Shetty said the workers of Indian Strategic Petrolium Reserve limited are creating incontinence to the public by using their wells and toilets located inside their compounds without permission. The road leading to the villages turned into a bad state due to continuous plying of lorries.  The project is coming up in a vast area of 67.75 acres land at the cost of Rs 376 crore. The 36 months project is third of its kind in the country and the others are situated at Vishakapatnam and Mangalore. The work at Padur is undertaken jointly by Engineering India Company and South Korea Engineering Construction Company Limited. The work is expected to complete by 2013.

” Site Manager assured that measures will be taken immediately. Adjacent road will be constructed to minimise the problem. The labourers will be provided with basic facilities so that they don’t trouble the residents, he added.

ZP President Gladys Almeida, Majoor Gram Panchayat President Ganesh Shetty, Members Subraya Aithal, Vasudev Rao, Fr K Santhosh Kumar, Leeladhar Shetty and others were present.