Belthangady villagers oppose HPC pipeline

The people of 12 villages in Belthangady taluk expressed their opposition for laying of the proposed gas pipeline from Mangalore to Bangalore for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).

The gas pipeline is supposed to pass through 12 villages of Belthangady taluk.

The villagers raised opposition to the project in a meeting of the HPCL officials which was chaired by MLA Vasanth Bangera, at Gurunarayan Sabha Bhavan in Belthangady on Thursday. They were firm in their stand that they would not give away their agriculture land for the gas pipeline at any cost. They criticised the officials for conducting the land survey without bringing it to the notice of revenue department and local gram panchayat.

Reacting to the complaint, the officers clarified that only digital survey has been done so far and the joint survey is yet to be done.

Both the Central and the State governments have given approval for the projects as it is in the public interest. A total of 397 km long quality pipelines will be laid from Mangalore to Bangalore via Hassan, by emphasising on safety aspect, an officer said.

MLA Vasanth Bangera assured the people of bringing the issue to the notice of the chief minister on Thursday. “I will get his opinion in writing and produce it before the people and the media,” he said and suggested the officers that the project should not be implemented facing people’s opposition.

HPCL officers said that 153 acre of land would be required for laying pipeline in 12 villages of Belthangady taluk. Of the required land, 27 acres is government land and 126 acres is private land.

Suitable compensation will be given to the land owners and the ownership and land rights will be in the hands of the farmers, the officer clarified.

HPCL General Manager Muralidhar, Senior Manager Ajith, Land Acquisition Officer Yashoda R and others were present. Villagers from Parenki, Kukkala, Machina, Odilnala, Kaliya, Koyyuru, Belalu, Ujire, Dharmasthala, Chibidre, Neriya and Puduvettu participated in the meeting.