KOCHI: Ernakulam district collector Muhammad Y Safirulla convened a meeting of stakeholders on Monday to clear the apprehensions of local residents over the proposed Indian Oil Corporation’s LPG storage terminal at Puthuvype during which he said that construction of the plant would begin soon.
While addressing the safety concerns of the residents, he made it clear that the LPG import and storage terminal construction will begin after ensuring all necessary safety features.
S. Dhanapandian of IOC while replying to apprehensions said that the storage terminal proposed at Puthuvype is not the first of its kind in the country and such plants are operating in 13 locations along the coastal regions in other parts. “A risk analysis has been done at Puthuvype and a multi-layered safety system is being implemented in the plant. As per the risk analysis report the chance for a disaster in only one in 10 lakhs,” he said.
The project for which the Union government has given environmental clearance in 2010 is being set up at 37 acres of land which was taken on lease from Cochin Port Trust. Only 690 metres of coastal area is being used for the project and it will not affect fishermen in any manner. Both Union and State governments have already given all necessary clearances for the terminal project.
Earlier, the state government has appointed an expert committee headed by Dr. N Poornachandra Rao of National Centre for Earth Science Studies director to conduct a public hearing. The government approval has been given based on the report of the expert panel. The government has instructed IOC to ensure that fishermen’s rights are not denied.
Government officials, action council members and political party representatives also attended.
