KOZHIKODE: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M] has said that the propaganda unleashed by a section with vested interests in Kodiyathur and Karassery grama panchayats in Kozhikode district against the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) pipeline project has been targeted to mislead people.
Party Kozhikode district secretary P. Mohanan accused the Welfare Party of India (WPI) of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), and a section of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) of being behind rumours aimed at blocking development projects. “Their objective is to derive political mileage by creating disturbances,” he said.
The pipelines were being laid in the district as part of the ambitious 437-km GAIL pipeline project from Kochi to Mangaluru. An LNG terminal for the purpose had been established at Puthuvype in Kochi in 2011, Mr. Mohanan said. He added that the multi-crore project was expected to bring large-scale development to the State. LNG will be utilised for industrial purposes as well as electricity generation.
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Distribution of cooking gas to hotels and households will be through the pipelines, as it is done in big cities in the country. “The project will curtail speeding tanker lorries transporting gases and accidents on busy highways,” Mr. Mohanan observed.
He alleged that protests had been planned by misleading landowners who were willing to part with their land for the pipeline project.
According to him, adequate compensation has been paid to landowners, and if complaints still persist, they will be given opportunities to air grievances.
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The CPI(M) leader said the Solidarity Youth Movement, WPI, and the SDPI were opposed to all development projects including the expansion of the national highway. “Earlier, the IUML had been backing such projects when it was in power. Now, the party has taken a U-turn with a political motive,” Mr. Mohanan pointed out.