Allow gas pipeline only along National Highways, urges Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi

COIMBATORE: Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) has urged the Tamil Nadu state government not to permit GAIL gas pipelines through farm lands in the State.

GAIL southern region executive director has announced that the pipelines will be laid within three years period once they get permission from the Tamil Nadu State government. This has sent shockwaves among farmers in the western region of Tamil Nadu, KMDK general secretary ER Eswaran said in a release.

When the GAIL planned to lay gas pipeline from Kochi in Kerala to Bengaluru in Karnataka through Tamil Nadu, farmers in seven districts Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri have raised their objection towards the project. Following their protest, the project was put on hold, he added.

He further said, if the gas pipeline was laid through fertile land, farming will get affected. Both the central and state governments should understand the fact that agriculture is the backbone of country's development. So, instead of laying gas pipeline through farm land, the GAIL should change the plan and lay gas pipeline along the national highways.

For country's development new projects are required. But, these new projects should not affect agriculture, only then future generation will be benefited. So, the Tamil Nadu government should give permission for laying gas pipeline only along national highway. If GAIL attempts to lay gas pipeline through farm land, a massive protest will erupt in the Kongu region, he warned.