A section of fishermen in Kasimedu area have expressed apprehension over the safety of a crude oil pipeline being laid by the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) from Chennai Port to its Manali refinery. The protest comes after they read reports of the leak in a pipeline belonging to the ONGC at Kadiramangalam in Thanjavur district.
Ko.Su. Mani of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Makkal Sangam said that over 40 fishing hamlets would be affected due to the project. People had been objecting to the project since 2012 when two public hearings were held. “There is no value for public views on this pipeline. We will continue our protests and even approach the court if all else fails,” he said.
Kasi Koil Kuppam Fishermen’s Cooperative Society president A.R. Mahalingam said that their boats were anchored very close to the pipeline route. “We are worried about the fact that the sea erodes the coastline despite the gryones. If the pipeline is damaged our livelihoods will be completely affected,” he said.
V. Arun, OorChettiyar (headman) of Kili Josiar Nagar in Tiruvottiyur, said that there were over 100 families in his locality and around 30 buildings would definitely be affected by the project since the pipeline passes right by their doorsteps. “We have not been offered any kind of compensation by the company. Our dwellings and shops will be affected by the project,” he said.
Madhusudhanan visit
Meanwhile, AIADMK leader E. Madhusudhanan on Sunday visited Anna Nagar in Kasimedu. He said due compensation must be paid to residents beneath or near whose homes the pipeline was passing.
Sources in CPCL said that after the public hearings, they gave due justification to the objections raised by the public and the district administration, and various authorities gave clearance only after they were convinced about the various aspects.
CPCL has designed the pipeline as per international standards and codes, in-built distinctive state of art features, which are not available in the existing pipeline, with the objective of ensuring safety and protecting the environment, while operating the pipeline.