Kochi-Mangaluru gas pipeline: Work on war-footing in Kerala

Kannur, Oct 9: The gas pipeline-laying works of the Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) in the Kannur district, which is part of the Kochi-Mangaluru pipeline laying project, are nearing completion.

The pipeline-laying activities of GAIL under its Kannur office cover 110 kilometres in two spreads from Neeleswaram in the Kasaragod district to Ayancheri in Kozhikode district.

Of this stretch, pipeline laying was completed in 83 km stretch in the district from Kadavathur in Thrippangottur village to Puthur in Peralam village, an official press release said.

Welding works were completed and pipeline was lowered into the trench for a total stretch of 70 km.

As part of the pipeline laying project, the survey works had already been completed. The Right of User (RoU) of 20 metre width of land for the stretch of 83 km was being acquired for the project under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline (P&MP) Act, 1962.

The release said that after the completion of the pipeline, the acquired width would be restricted to 10 metres and the remaining 10 metres would be handed over to the owners.

Compensation

The release said that total Rs. 45.44 crore had been disbursed under GAIL’s Kannur office as compensation of the crops in the land taken over under RoU in the first phase.

Of the total 5,042 people whose land was being taken possession under RoU, 4184 people were given compensation, it added.

It also informed that the disbursal of compensation for buildings in the acquired area had begun.

Also progressing was the work to pay compensation for the 10-metre wide plots being acquired for pipeline laying.

Of the five rivers in the district under which the pipeline passes, pipeline laying was completed under Perumba, Kuppam and Valapattanam rivers. Works to lay pipeline under Anjarakkandy and Eranholi rivers remained, it said.

The press release also said that construction of intermediate pigging station on the 1.5 acre land at Kurumathur was also completed. It also said that 80% of the works of constructing section valve stations for supplying gas for industrial and domestic requirements were also completed. The pipeline laying works in the district would be completed by January, it said.