KOCHI: The three-member expert committee appointed to study the construction of the long-delayed LPG Terminal in Puthuvype will submit its final report to the government by October end.The committee led by its Chairman N Poornachandra Rao went on a fact-finding mission at Puthuvype Island, where public sector Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) LPG Terminal is planned, on Thursday, and gathered the views and concerns of the island residents on the project.The committee comprises of Purnachandra Rao, director, National Centre for Earth Sciences Studies (NCESS), Thiruvananthapuram, Eapen Varghese, Chief Town Planner (Retd) and K V Thomas, CRZ expert and former scientist with NCESS.
Speaking to reporters later in the day, Rao said “local residents and officers of the Indian Oil Corporation have submitted relevant documents with the committee. We will go through those.” Earlier in the day, the panel members held a discussion on the technical aspects of the terminal with residents and IOC representatives at the Guest House here. After hearing the objection of Puthuvype residents to the project, the members visited and inspected the LPG terminal site. It also collected documents from IOC authorities. Committee member and former scientist K V Thomas said all opinions and documents will be duly considered and studied.
"During our visit to the site, the residents showed us their drainage crisis and explained how worse it can get if the LPG terminal starts functioning,” said the committee member Eapen Varghese. District Collector K Muhammad Y Safirulla, Assistant Collector Ishapriya, Chief Minister's Scientific Advisor M C Dathan and scientists of the National Centre for Earth Science Studies were present in the meeting. The expert committee has held two meetings earlier and collected documents.
Residents' fear
Jayghosh, the chairman of the body which is leading the people's protests, said the LPG had become a nightmare for Puthuvype residents. "The terminal will affect the residents' fishing business and create waterlogging issues. If the terminal comes up, around 500 lorries will be moving across the area, badly affecting the roads and ground. Detailed reports on the deadly effects of the LPG terminal on Puthuvype have been provided to the expert committee with proof,” he said.
IOC's defence
IOC Deputy General Manager C N Rajendran said the terminal adhered to every safety regulation. “We have submitted all necessary documents to the expert committee. We are expecting a positive response. There is no need to panic. The terminal will bring only benefits to the state and people,” Rajendran said.
LPG import terminal
The LPG import terminal was proposed in 2009. IOC was given 37 acres in Puthuvype to implement the project.
The proposed terminal can handle six lakh tonnes of LPG annually in the initial stage. IOC received nomination in March, 2013, and a concession agreement was signed on April 4, 2015.
Protests by Puthuvype residents stalled construction work.
In June, the protesting residents were lathicharged by police