KOZHIKODE: The piped natural gas project of GAIL underway in the district will not affect the social life of farmers in the locality, say revenue officials and GAIL authorities. Many inhabitants on the premises of the project are convinced of the safety of the project. The authorities have told them that they can continue to use the land based on some guidelines. GAIL deputy general manager M. Viju told DC that only those who failed to bag the compensation due to some anomalies in land documents were protesting now. The issues will be sorted out as soon as the confusion over land documents are rectified.
On the utilisation of land post pipe-laying and completion of the project, Mr Viju said that the land owners can cultivate plants the roots of which would be limited up to 1.5 metrs deep. Vegetables, plantains and other crops are ideal. Even temporary sheds can be made on the land. Permanent constructions can be made five metres from the middle of the pipeline.
A detailed draft of pipeline would be handed over to the local bodies for facilitating this. The “GAIL would also issue ‘No objection certificate’ for permanent constructions after inspecting the spot,” he said. “Even tractors can be used for farming on the land,” he added. An amount of Rs 7.5 crore has been disbursed as compensation, according to GAIL authorities.
