KOCHI: The expert committee appointed to study the construction of IOC's LPG terminal plant in Puthuvype has said the concerns of residents are genuine, and asked the government to address them.
The three-member panel led by Dr Poornachandra Rao, Director of National Centre for Earth Science, Town Planner Eapen Varghese and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) expert K V Thomas, in their report, said certain conditions were not followed by the public sector IOC in their construction.
The summary of the report, which was leaked to the press, said the distance of 200 m required between the residential area and the terminal, was missing in the plans. Further, it said though the IOC has received all the statutory clearances, other conditions and concerns should be taken care of before the construction begins.
The report also suggested that a committee, including stakeholders, local MLA, IOC, BPCL, Petronet LNG and the District Collector should be set up to monitor the project.
Jayghosh, chairman of Puthuvype LPG Terminal Virudha Janakiya Samara Samithi, told Express the samithi received a brief of the report but added that the committee has not addressed the crux of their demand.
"We do not want the project to happen in Puthuvype where 65,000 families live.The report has addressed a few of our issues but altogether it cannot be termed satisfactory," he said.
Jayghosh said the report was generally in favour of the IOC and mainly made suggestion to overcome the present trouble and carry on with the construction. Health hazards are also a matter of concern but nothing on that has come up in the report, he added.
However, IOC general manager (LPG) Rajendra Kumar said the company was not aware of the observations made in the expert committee report. He reiterated that the IOC has not violated any laws and has been adhering to the conditions.
"Why should we violate the law and start such a big project. A large amount is invested in the project and we will never think of risking that by violating any conditions," he said. According to the rules of CRZ for hydrocarbon installations, distance has not to be taken into consideration, he added.The expert committee was appointed in June this year following the agitations in Puthuvype, which included police lathicharge on the protesters.