Local BJP leaders, villagers oppose gas pipeline project

BJP National Council Member Om Prakash Sharma and farmer representatives here handed over a memorandum to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on a proposed gas pipeline project of a private firm stating that villagers were not taken confidence before commencement of the project.
In the memorandum, farmers opposed the project the 486 kms Methane gas pipeline proposed between Dahej in Gujarat and Nagothane in Maharashtra, of which 230 kms passes through three districts -- Thane, Palghar and Raigadh, and that they were not taken into confidence during the planning stage.
The memorandum was handed over to MPCB recently by Sharma, leader Babji Kathawale and farmer leader Madhukar Patil.

They said in the memorandum that before the planning of the mega project, farmers, land owners, tribals, NGOs were not taken into confidence and briefed about the project.
Sharma said they have also raised several queries regarding permission given for the project.
In the memorandum, it stated there is no clarity on the compensation to be given to villagers and farmers who will be loosing their lands in the project.

They claimed that of the entire pipeline, a portion of 26 kms will pass through eco-sensitive Dahanu taluka of the district.
It said a portion of 89 kms will pass through Palghar, 87 kms each from Thane and Raigadh districts.

In Gujarat, 68 kms will pass across Baruch, 84 kms Surat, 41 kms from Navsari and 63 kms from Valsad.