People of affected villages protest against GAIL pipeline project

People of affected villages protest against GAIL pipeline project

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Aug 14, 2012 : Mangalore Gas Pipeline Santhrasthara Horata Samithi of Mudipu protested against the proposed Kochi to Mangalore gas pipeline, which will affect Kairangala, Pajir, Balepuni, and Kurnadu in front of the ZP office on August 14, Tuesday.

 

 

 

The protestors stopped District-in-charge Minister C. T. Ravi’s car and submitted a memorandum, in which they demanded that the proposed gas pipeline must be cancelled.

Samithi President Rajaram Bhat said that the proposed gas pipeline will pass through dense forest area in four places, owing to which a large number of trees will have to be cut down for it. Besides, the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has not yet clearly told the residents about the route the pipeline would take.  Stating that people are being forced to give up their land for this project, he said that people are worried about any disaster that leakage of gas or damage to the pipeline might lead to in these villages.

Interacting with protestors, C. T. Ravi said that the state government has not proposed this project, which is being implemented according to GAIL’s survey report. Assuring farmers that they will not be cheated, he said that the project will be implemented only after taking the residents into confidence. He also said that the farmers will be adequately compensated, adding that no farmer will be forced to vacate his/her land.

The protestors demanded to know why the government is seeking to acquire only agricultural land and why it is not following the Kerala model.

MLA U. T. Khader, DC N. S. Channappa Gowda, and Deputy Speaker N. Yogesh Bhat were also present.