Govt Raps GAIL for ‘Go Slow’ on LNG Pipeline Project
The State Government has expressed serious concern over the allegedly callous attitude of GAIL India towards the LNG pipeline that passes through seven districts in central and northern Kerala.
In addition to the letter submitted by the Chief Minister to the Prime Minister when they met in Thiruvananthapuram on December 15, expressing unconditional support for the LNG project, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson had sent a ‘DO’ letter to the Petroleum Secretary on the issues pertaining to the project.
“I am seriously worried about the ‘go slow’ attitude of GAIL in completing the survey and the deliberate delay in taking forward the pipe laying work. I do not understand why GAIL is dragging its feet on the project,” stated the Chief Secretary in his letter. “Unlike most of the other projects that are characterised by individual merit, the pipeline is the backbone of the economic development of the State. We need the LNG project mainly for power production. We can convert some of our power projects into the LNG mode, which is eco-friendly, safe and cheap. We will leave no stone unturned to make it happen,” the Chief Secretary told ‘Express.’
There is also caution that the State would switch to ‘election mode’ any time, and a new government is expected to take charge by mid-May.
The letter warns that if the pipe laying work is not done now, it might get inordinately delayed as it is not feasible to do the work during the monsoon. The letter further states that in Malapuram and Kozhikkode, where work is going on at the slowest pace, some fundamentalist groups were creating problems. It demands that pipe laying be started without delay, wherever land survey has been completed.
The letter also criticises GAIL for missing the opportunity created for it in the ‘June-August window’ to finish the survey work ahead of the local poll elections.