Villagers stop MSEZ pipeline work

Alleging that the work on laying MSEZ pipeline has affected the water supply and damaged the road, the residents stalled the work on laying the pipeline, at Vijayanagara in Madhyapadavu of Chelyar Gram Panchayat on Thursday night. 

Chelyar Gram Panchayat President Pushparaj Shetty and Taluk Panchayat member Vajrakshi P Shetty said that there is no drinking water following the pipeline work. “The water pipes have been damaged. The work on laying the MSEZ pipeline should not be started without repairing the drinking water pipelines,” they said. 

Though Contractor Raghuveer Panambur rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the villagers, the villagers refused to come to terms with the contractor, following which the workers repaired the pipeline till 2 am. 

Chelyar Gram Panchayat President Pushparaj Shetty said that the problem will not be solved by repairing the drinking water pipeline. “The roads have been damaged fully. With the monsoon fast approaching, the vehicle users will face problems. The work on pipeline should not be continued till the road is repaired.” 

To assphalt the road, the MSEZ has handed over Rs 80 lakh to the PWD. Shetty said that the MSEZ had promised to favour finish the road. However, the PWD officials had said that favour finish road is not possible with Rs 80 lakh. However, the MSEZ has not yet paid the PWD to take up the work. 

More than 250 villagers took part in the protest.