Fire in MRPL acquired land

Mangalore, March 25: A fire was reported on acquired land by MRPL for its Phase III Project at around 10: 30 am on Sunday.

In an official press release MRPL has stated that the incident occurred when someone apparently set-fire to the Hydrocarbon accumulated on top of an open well located in the said land.

The source of this fire and how it happened requires to be investigated. The Security and Fire and Safety people were not allowed to enter the said land and only with Police Intervention, Safety Personnel of MRPL could enter the land and put-off the fire, it said.

“It is pertinent to note that the said land is illegally occupied by Gregory Patrao who has already taken the compensation for vacating the land, meant for Phase III Project of MRPL. He continues to occupy MRPL land as a trespasser, despite the Court Orders and the Order Issued by the Chief Minister of Karnataka for his evacuation, based on the report of Divisional Commissioner from Mysore, M. V. Jayanti, who conducted a detailed study of his case, including site visit”, stated the release.

In the past MRPL had to relocate the Polypropylene Unit which was supposed to come up on the said land and has planned to put up the Tankages required for Phase III Project. However MRPL is unable to proceed with the installation of the Tankages, due to continued illegal stay of Patrao family and the same is seriously hampering the upcoming phase III project progress, the release said.

Ramesh Hannapur, PSI, Surathkal PS said complaint of MRPL (on mischievous fire on its land) is being verified as well as claims by Gregory Patrao (who is said to have obstructed security and fire personnel from entering the land) to ownership of land. A case would be registered if found necessary, he noted.