Kochi: Putting the LNG pipeline project in jeopardy again, GAIL Ltd has halted the works it had resumed in Kochi on Monday following reports of protests from local residents in various parts of the state and opposition from members in the state cabinet.
GAIL officials told Deccan Chronicle that the office here has sent reports on the developments to the company headquarters and is now waiting for directions.
“We resumed the work after talks between GAIL chairman and managing director B. C. Tripathi and chief secretary Jiji Thomson during which the state government assured us of all support,” the officials said.
“However, there has been resistance from the local residents when we started the work. It is now for the company to take a call whether it wants to go ahead with it (or not).”
GAIL was forced to halt the work three times in the last four years due to popular protest, the officials pointed out.
“Now we hear that there will be more discussions on the project. The signals are not quite good,” the officials said.
An official connected with the survey for the project in Malappuram district said the work has been temporarily stopped after they received instruction from the government.
