Malappuram: The land acquisition procedures for the proposed gas pipeline by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) in the district may have to confront stiff resistance in the coming days. A meeting convened by the local administration and revenue officials to allay the concerns of residents has failed to convince them. The GAIL authorities failed to clarify their security apprehensions. The survey team had been blocked in a housing area in Kodur by the local community on Monday.
“The answers of the GAIL authorities were unconvincing. They could not give proper answers to the affected people's queries regarding the safety issues and due compensation,” C.P. Shaji, Kodur panchayat president, said. Though the revenue officials could complete the survey in several parts of the district with a heavy police protection, protests gained momentum when the proceeding reached highly populated areas.
“No assurance was given on the safety of the people. We demand the realignment of the pipeline avoid thickly populated areas. But they are not ready to accept it,” said Alavikutty Kavanur, district convener of the GAIL Victims Forum. "The project will directly affect more that 600 houses." Meanwhile, the revenue officials claimed that the residents were convinced of safety and that the survey would be continued in the coming days. It has been completed in Irinbliyam, Marakkara and Ponmala panchayats, they said.
