KOZHIKODE: While the land survey and pipe-laying work for the proposed GAIL gas project are underway with the all out support of the state government and the CPM, protests by fringe political groups and local-level activists are on the rise across the Malabar region. The survey for laying the liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipelines has faced stiff resistance from the public in Malappuram, Kozhikode and parts of Kannur; six incidents of protests were reported in the region last week alone.
GAIL authorities are working under heavy police protection in Kozhikode where the survey is underway. In Kannur, however, the CPM units which earlier supported the agitators have now backed out in tune with the policy of the state government. In Kasargod, the survey works are almost over and pipe-laying works are in progress. The survey is yet to be completed in 7 kms in the 83 km stretch. Malappuram district is still lagging behind as the survey of the entire 58 kilometre-stretch remains to be started.
Though the government began the process over a few kilometers, it has not been completed because of protests from localites. Kannur deputy collector (land assignment) P.V. Gangadharan told DC that the government was ready to give a compensation for the land up to three times the land value. “Still there are protests in a 14 kilometre-stretch from various pockets like Kathirur and Thrippangottur,” he added.
GAIL chief manager (construction) M. Viju told Deccan Chronicle that his team was doing whatever it could to complete the work. “Survey is over in Thrissur, Palakkad and Kasargod districts in the 300 kilometre Kochi-Mangalore stretch of the project,” he said, adding that the survey was almost over in Kannur. “We are facing stiff resistance in a few pockets in Kozhikode. We are yet to start the work in Malappuram.” He said GAIL needs land wide 10 metres for laying the pipe but needed up to 20 metres during the construction stage.
“My team reduced the width wherever there was a stiff protest and we altered the alignment if we could save buildings and houses.” Meanwhile, the GAIL Victims Forums in all the districts except Kasargod are agitating. GAIL Victims Forum leader at Kannur Dr D. Surendranath told DC that the government had no right to execute such a dangerous project through human habitats. “We are still very concerned about the safety aspects,” he said, adding that 16 persons were killed in the CNG pipeline mishap in Andhra Pradesh. “Casualties would be higher here,” he added.
