Oppn to GAIL project will not prevent govt from implementing it: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Wednesday said resistance by some people against the GAIL gas pipeline project will not prevent the state from going ahead with its implementation as it was the need of the nation.

"Laying of Kochi-Koottanad-Bengaluru-Mangalore natural gas pipeline network of GAIL is the need of the nation. The project is also necessary for taking up environment friendly development projects in Kerala," he said while replying to a submission in this regard in the Assembly.

The Chief Minister said activists of SDPI, a political wing of the Popular Front of India should stop their stir in Palakkad district against the pipe laying and cooperate with the government to complete it.

On police registering cases against agitators who prevented construction work, Vijayan said the police had only done its duty.

He also referred to the Kerala High Court order for police protection for workers

"They are consciously opposing the project," Vijayan said.

"Police will take steps as required," he said to the submission of Congress leader V T Balram who accused the police of foisting false cases against locals and threatening them.

Vijayan pointed out that the pipeline passing through Kerala would also enable the state avail natural gas at a very low price and connect the network with the national grid.

GAILs 900-km gas pipeline project passing through Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has run into trouble due to land issues.

Balaram said government should create awareness among people on the need for the project and also should remove fears about it.