Mangalore, October 6: Villagers of 13 gram panchayats and Ullal town municipality on Friday resolved that the proposals of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Relogistics Infrastructure Limited (RIL) of Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure Limited (RGTIL), to lay a pipeline for the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through nearly 50 villages in Dakshina Kannada district will be opposed.
RIL had obtained authorization to lay LNG pipeline of 13.3 MMSCMD (million metric standard cubic meter per day) capacity from Thiruthani terminal point in Tamil Nadu to Mangalore via Bangalore from the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. Meanwhile, GAIL had obtained permission to lay pipeline of 16 MMSCMD capacity from Kochi in Kerala to Mangalore.
Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, action committee coordinator, said that the fights will be carried out against the projects in all possible ways. "People should join hands to oppose the forceful acquisition of land for the projects. We should prevent the companies from implementing the project, which will not only grab fertile land, but also pose a threat to human life," he added.
Social activist Vidya Dinker said that the implementation of LNG pipeline projects will pave way for the petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR), which will convert more than 72,000 acres of land in the region into a highly pollutant zone. "It is unfortunate that the objections filed by the gram panchayats and people were sidelined while approving the projects. Only the cabinet can take a decision and reject the project," she added.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that forceful acquisition of agriculture land is violation of a Supreme Court directive. MLC Monappa Bhandary and Zilla panchayat member Santhosh Kumar Boliyar were present.
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