TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: After successfully containing the opposition from farmers and locals at various points enroute, the much awaited gas pipeline of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) which would supply fuel to industries may be completed by December 2012.

Authorities stated that almost 75 per cent work on the pipeline is completed and 25 per cent pending work will be completed soon. The state government agencies have managed to convince the people who were initially opposing this pipeline. Sources stated that at few places like Orgao near Bhoma, the route has been partially changed considering the topography of the place.

Director Industries, Sanjith Rodrigues said that majority of the issues are solved. “Government, GAIL and concerned authorities will now have another review meeting to decide the deadline for the completion of the project,” he said.

Rodrigues said that some stretches in Tivrem, Orgao, Kundai and Cortalim are yet to be completed.

The work was halted in five villages from Bicholim, Ponda and Mormugao taluka, as the locals were opposed to the pipeline, claiming that it passes through their paddy fields and had demanded change in its route.

The project’s promoters had in the past said that the ownership of the land will remain with the landowner. After laying the pipeline, the land will be handed back to the landowner for agriculture purpose, they had said.

The gas, which will be used as domestic fuel and for vehicles, will also be used for generating power once the project is completed.

The GAIL pipeline, which connects Dabhol, Maharashtra to Bidadi in Karnataka, was to be tapped at Gokak (Karnataka) and diverted to Goa, where the gas was to be used as fuel by industries. The project had received approval from the GAIL board in 2009. Goa was expecting to get the pipeline laid by December 2012.