TN opposes Gail pipeline on agricultural land

TN opposes Gail pipeline on agricultural landThe state government of Tamil Nadu has said that it will not allow Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to lay its pipeline on agricultural land.

The state government said that the company will not be allowed laydown pipeline for the Kochi-Bengaluru GAIL gas pipeline project on agricultural land in the state and said that the company should instead laydown the pipeline along the national highways. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said that the government will not back any project that affects the people.

She also demanded that the company fill up pits that were dug for the project and restore then before returning them back to the land owners. The Madras high court is already looking into the matter and she added that concerns will be explained to the court. She also said that the government will work to make sure that the cases field against the farmers.

"Nobody will accept any justification that industrial growth should be attained at the cost of farmers... my government is determined that projects are for people and not the other way around," she said.

The Tamil Nadu Government is set to inform the Madras High Court about its decision regarding the project.