Mangalore, July 5: Residents of Belthangady taluk protested against the officials of petrochemical industries in a meeting held to discuss the land acquisition for laying HPCL pipeline on Mangalore – Hassan – Mysore – Solur route at the DC office on July 4.
The petrochemical industries had also not taken necessary measures to prevent the leakage of petroleum gas in the pipeline that passes through populated places of Dakshina Kannada. A resident of Puduvettu village pointed out hazardous fuels were leaking from the pipeline belonging to Petronet at Santhaya in Puduvettu.
Complaints about the leakage were given to the officials five months ago but have not taken action to prevent the leakage, it was said. The resident expressed grave concerns over the probabilities of disaster due to explosion in the area. “When there is no proper mechanism in place for the safety of the people, there is no question of giving our land for laying another LPG pipeline,” he said.
Responding to the complaints, Superintendent of Police Sharanappa directed the HPCL officials to conduct a study on the LPG leakage and theft and come out with a detailed report with photographs within three days.
The villagers of Neriya opposed the land acquisition for construction of pump house as a part of the proposed HPCL LPG pipeline. On account of this Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim has decided to go for a spot inspection on July 8.
