KOCHI: Activist Group spearheading an agitation against the proposed LPG import and storage terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has suggested relocating the plant to the proposed petrochemical complex planned by state government at Ambalamedu in Kochi. The proposal for relocating the plant has been submitted to the district collector when he convened a meeting on Friday to discuss the proposals submitted by IOCL. Speaking to this newspaper Jaya Ghosh, a leader of the committee spearheading the agitation, said that the IOCL can relocate the storage terminal and pump the LPG using the Multi Utility Jetty at Puthu Vypeen for the purpose.
The meeting convened by the collector was basically to discuss the suggestions made by the IOCL as part of their corporate social responsibility plans. “But the core issue is the location of the storage terminal and there is no compromise in the need for its relocation,” Ghosh said. A pipeline network to evacuate LPG from the jetty to the storage terminal and beyond is already under the IOCL project and the same can be implemented without any difficulty as the petrochemical complex is coming up in a 600 acre plot under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Board (KIFFB), Ghosh said.
The meeting held by the collector with the representatives of committee and members of the local bodies and community leaders mainly focused on the suggestions made by the expert committee headed by national Centre for Earth Sciences Studies Director N. Poornachandra Rao. Accordingly the collector has pointed out that one of the suggestions is that the emergency response disaster management plan of the IOCL should be approved by Petroleum and Boilers Department. Another suggestion is constructing breakwaters as suggested by the Ocean Engineering Department of the Chennai IIT. The setting up of drainage facilities to end water logging in the area, drinking water facility, roads, healthcare and educational facilities are the other suggestions.
According to Mr Ghosh the proposal by IIT for constructing breakwaters as a shore protection measure was based on obsolete data. The expert panel appointed by the government has rejected the same as outdated, he added. According to an official release by the district administration the discussions will continue in coming days with all the stakeholders involved. The committee spearheading the agitation meanwhile has decided to observe the first anniversary of police action against the protestors in Puthu Vypeen on June 17 and before the secretariat on June 18.
