'Protests over GAIL project creating confusion among people'

Protests against the LNG project of GAIL at Mukkom in the district by 'some persons' were creating confusion among people, Industries Minister A C Moideen said here today.
Speaking to media persons after the all-party meeting convened here in the wake of violent agitations against the project, he said land for the purpose had been acquired years ago.
"The land was acquired for the project years ago. But the statements of some persons and the protests are creating confusion among people on the project", Moideen said.
Stating that GAIL should ensure that people owning only five cents of land are rehabilitated, the minister said the compensation to those affected would be increased to the maximum extent possible by the state government.

"The alignment of the project will not be changed.The government will hold talks with GAIL authorities on the safety of the project. I will inform the Chief Minister of the violent incidents, which led to the police action, he said.
The minister told representatives of political parties and other outfits that the issues that they raised at the meeting would be looked into.

Opposition leader in the Kerala assembly Ramesh Chennithala alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself was trying to put road blocks to the peace process in GAIL pipeline project.
"No one is against the project. But mistakes in implementing it should be corrected. The authorities have a responsibility. Not even a noticewas issued prior to land acquisition", he alleged.

He was speaking to reporters at Mukkam.
Meanwhile, Malappuram District Collector AmitMeena, who also participated in the talks, said pipeline laying work for the project would continue uninterrupted and that all issues raised in the meeting would be addressed
"The administration will issue a notice which will include details of land acquisition for the project", he said.