Gas pipeline in line with TN needs: Gail

Chennai: Paving the way for the execution of the Kochi-Kootanad-Mangalore-Bangalore gas pipeline project, the Madras high court on Monday set aside the order of the Tamil Nadu government, directing Gail India Limited to lay the pipeline along the National Highways without affecting the farmers’ agricultural lands in seven districts in the state.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice R. K. Agrawal and Justice M. Sathyanarayan, allowed the petition filed by Gail, which sought a direction to the state government to facilitate implementation of the project in the acquired Right of User way as per Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of Users in Land) Act in Salem, Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Namakkal, Erode and Tirupur.

Concurring with the submissions of additional solicitor general P. Wilson, the bench said that Gail  had furnished material that showed that the state government, before passing the impugned proceedings, had extended maximum co-operation in the matter.

The Vision TN 2023 document, published by the state government, also revealed that it was keen to establish the gas grid to connect various districts and LNG terminal at a cost of Rs20,000 crore each, realising that the supply of gas to various power stations and industries would help the state achieve more industrialization and prosperity, the bench added.

The use of natural gas would also reduce pollution levels and Gail’s project would ultimately connect to the natural gas grid which would benefit the state.

The state government could convince farmers and land owners of this once the project commenced operation. It also had adequate means at its disposal to take care of a law and order problem, the bench added. 

Next: Gas pipeline will destroy farms: Western TN ryots

Gas pipeline will destroy farms: Western TN ryots

Coimbatore: Hundreds of farmers in western Tamil Nadu are worried over the Madras High Court's order on Monday giving a  go-ahead for laying gas pipeline through farm lands.

The farmers have raised fears that laying of gas pipeline cutting across fertile farm lands will have a devastating effect on agriculture in districts including Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishna­giri. The gas pipeline to be laid from Kochi to Benga­luru by Gas Authority of India Limited is likely to pass through agricultural lands in Western districts.

“The pipeline will prove disastrous to the already shrinking farming activity. If the pipe is taken underneath the lands, then farmers may not be able to plant trees or plough the lands to cultivate crops. Even construction activity cannot be done and a canal or irrigation channels cannot be dug for agricultural purpose,” said P Kandaswamy, general secretary of Farmers Association.

Almost 2000 acres of fertile land will be directly hit, while more than 20,000 acres will be affected indirectly, due to the laying of gas pipeline, which may also ruin the livelihood of around 50,000 farmers.

“The farmers said that GAIL has already earmarked vast tracts of fertile agricultural lands in Chettipalayam, Oratu­ku­ppai, Okkilipalayam, Otha­ka­­lmandapam, Seerapa­layam, Palathurai, Thiru­ma­layampalayam and Valayar in Coimbatore for laying the controversial pipeline,” said a functionary of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam.

The farmers associations have now planned to file a review petition in the High Court and an appeal before the Supreme Court, Kanda­swamy said.