THRISSUR: To implement big development projects, society always has to pay a price, either as displacement of natives or causing harm to nature. The residents of Chowannur in Kunnamkulam fear that it would be an entire generation that would have to pay the price if they allow the setting up of a city gas station in a densely populated area violating all regulations.
In one acre and 37 cents of land at Chowannur, work on a City Gas Station project of Indian Oil Adani Gas Private Ltd has been progressing despite the resistance from local people. According to Pradeep V K, a resident whose house is located close to the gas station, "the company commenced the construction works on the land under the guise of setting up a mobile phone tower. But later we came to know that it was a project to supply gas to Mangaluru and other places."
As per the project, the city gas station will handle 7 lakh cubic ft of gas per day. A compressed gas station will also be set up here for vehicles that run on it. Processed gas will be supplied to other states through the pipeline. The company received authorisation from Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory (PNGR) Authority to set up the gas station as per the PNGRB Act. Residents alleged that the company violated norms while setting up the station.
In addition, it is also alleged that the company filled a pond in the land for construction purposes. Even though the residents filed a complaint with the Kunnamkulam municipality, no action was taken.
At present, the construction work has been temporarily stopped as KSEB issued a stop memo realising the danger behind the setting up a gas station near the 110 KV high tension tower. The norms also restrict the setting up of city gas station in densely populated areas putting the safety of the public at risk. As per the regulations, in densely populated areas, there should not be residents within a one-mile perimeter of the compound wall of the city gas station.
Within 15 m perimeter of the gas station, seven houses are located while within 200 m 126 houses are located. "We lodged a complaint with the district administration and chief minister's office. If they continue the work on the city gas station it will be a huge disaster in the making. We want our kids to stay safe in future and hence we need to fight against it today," said Pradeep.
The collector's office replied to the complainant that the procedures for authorisation to set up the gas station from various departments were underway and the residents would be called for a hearing at the right moment to share their concerns.
Kunnamkulam MLA A C Moideen said that the city gas station at the site was a proposed project and the company has received authorisation for the same. "There are several departments involved in checking the safety measures while setting up the gas station. The fire and safety department and local body will definitely look into the matter. If there is any kind of violation of existing rules, the state government will look into it," he said. When asked about the 110 KV high tension line at the site, Moideen said that he was not aware of it.