Terming the discussion on Puthuvype LPG terminal project a ‘farce’, the LPG Terminal Virudha Janakeeya Samara Samiti said it would ‘resist and defeat’ any attempt of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to proceed with the project that is planned in the thickly-populated area.
Biju C.G., ward member of Karthedom Central in Elamkunnapuzha grama panchayat, said that the discussion was purely intended to enable the commencement of the project for the IOC.
“Only members of the IOC and LPG distributors spoke for the project at the discussion,” he added.
“The MP and MLA were not there because they were not invited to the meeting,” he claimed.
As the Supreme Court order held that order given by a single bench of the National Green Tribunal in favour of the IOC is not valid, the Samiti has filed an application against the IOC before the High Court, he said.
The Samiti put forward a suggestion that the project should be shifted from Puthuvype to the petrochemical complex and pharma park that is to be established by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board at Ambalamedu, connecting it with the Kochi-Salem pipeline, which is currently under construction, from the Vypeen jetty to the Cochin Refinery and the IOC plant at Udayamperoor.
The Samiti will resist any attempt to establish the project that is being blatantly promoted without considering the opinions of the people who would be affected, said Samiti chairman M.B. Jayaghosh and convener K.S. Murali.