'M'lore - Hassan - Mysore gas pipeline project unscientific, disastrous'

Mangalore-Hassan-Mysore- Solooru Gas Pipeline Yojane Virodhi Horata Samiti members have defied the proposed project as cheating people, unscientific and disastrous and have called for a protest rally opposing it, from Kaikamba to Naada Kacheri on January 7, from 10 am.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the forum members and the residents of Mogaru, Kaikamba, Kandavara, Malali, Maravooru, Adyapaadi have said that the project would cut the life line of about 600 to 700 families just in these villages and termed it as unscientific.

Convenor Krishna Prasad Rai said: “Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) wants to lay the pipeline in six metre width path for the purpose. But, we had submitted a 35-point detailed objection letter. Still, the government has served notices and now getting ready for the survey. According to Land Acquisition Act, 1993, residential land with schools and religious centres can not be acquired for this purpose,” he said.

‘Make a pipeline corridor’

Gas pipeline should be at least 500 metres away from residential areas. But, there are many houses very near to the pipeline. It may prove hazardous if someone damages the pipeline which is just one-metre below the ground-level. Even Mangalore International Airport is also not safe. Moreover, the main victims of the project will be small farmers and house holders. It would largely affect the environment by the destruction of forest. The officials are taking it very lightly. If possible, they can make a separate pipeline corridor with some changes, Krishna Prasad Rai said.

‘Amend Act’

According to Right of Users Act, 1962, the Central government is planed to give a meagre amount of Rs 25,000 per acre as compensation, which is not even near to the market value. The government should amend the Act and should compensate the residents by giving market price for the land. “If they amend the Act and give market price to our land we are ready to leave the place,” he said.

Many have lost land 12 years ago, for petrol pipeline project. Then government and corporate companies cheated people by saying that 2-feet of land would be aquisited, which was actually a 66 feet path. This time, they can’t do like that. Awareness will be created among people and the protest would turn into a revolution if the demands are not met, he said.

Forum Convenors M Ibrahim, Shankar K Shetty, Babu Shetty and others were present.