Set up pipeline project without affecting people: NGT

Chennai: The Southern Bench of National Green Tribunal has directed authorities to set up Rs 1,450 crore oil pipeline project, connecting Chenai Port with Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd, without affecting people in North Chennai.

When a petition filed by Meenava Thanthai K.R. Selvaraj Kumar Meenavar Nala Sangam, represented by its president M.R. Thiyagarajan, Royapuram came up for hearing before the Tribunal, the Judicial Member Justice M S Nambiar ordered notice to Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, CPCL and other authorities.

In the petition, Thiyagarajan said that Manali Refinery has been receiving crude oil through pipeline from Chennai Port Trust. The 7.5 km long pipeline was constructed in 1969.

The central government planned to lay a new 17 km long crude oil pipeline connecting Chennai Port with Manali refinery. The Ministry accorded CRZ clearance to Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd on January 3, 2014 for the multi crore project.

CPCL had assigned the task of laying new crude oil pipeline to a private contractor NRP Projects Private Limited. Nearly 30 per cent of work had been completed so far. Recently, several houses developed cracks due to the implementation of the project and a five-year-old child died after falling into a pit dug up for the project. He alleged that the private contractor had not taken any precautionary measures for the safety of people and their houses, property etc. 

The contractor also procured low quality materials for the project work. He feared that if the company is allowed to continue work using low quality materials there would be a disaster.

He sought direction to restrain NRP Projects from continuing with the project work and to revoke CRZ clearance given to the project. He also sought direction for providing compensation to people affected by the project. The tribunal adjourned the matter to January 24 for further hearing.