Kasaragod, March 2, 2013
Unity among locals led to the stoppage of work on Kochi-Mangalore gas pipeline at
Inchlampady in Kumble recently. Residents of Kumble led by an action committee opposed and stopped the work of the pipeline carried out by Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL).
The locals complain that GAIl had started laying the pipeline without giving any prior notice or providing compensation to the people who were affected by the laying of the gas pipeline. In Inchlampady the public have lost their property due to the laying of the pipeline for which GAIL failed to give any compensation not only for the land but also for the areconut and coconut tress which were chopped off. Angered by the arrogance and insensitivity of GAIL officials the locals decided to stop the work of the project. The protestors also complain that the authorities of GAIL have used more than 20 meters of land required for the pipeline thus causing extensive damage to the crops and plantations in the area. .
Though there have been protests at several places during the laying of this pipeline, it is for the first time the work has been completely stalled
I’m a person who is about loose property for this project. I bought a new land 3 years ago with a very high rate due to the fair value system in this area. This project was never mentioned from any where such as village office or register office at any point of time and I was unaware of a project like this till last last February.
Now what I come to know is I will loose my crops and I will not be able to do any constructional activites in my land due to this pipeline. Loosing crops is not a big concern for me. But loosing the authority to construct buildings in my land is a serious concern as its affecting my lands resale value. The GAIL is always taking about the crops and not mentioning aout the resale value of the property. They should change the route along the sides of national high way instead of the private lands. GAIL should be reaady to take up the cost for re routing the pipeline as the public will never get the cost savings that the gas companies get through the pipeline project.Else there should a be better compensation packages to those who provide land- something like life long free Gas cylinders or something like that.