NewsKarnataka – Mangalore

Mangalore: The HPCL Mangalore to Solur gas pipeline project that is scheduled to pass through various places in the district has faced yet another roadblock with villagers in Mangalore taluk   who are likely to be affected by the project demanding higher compensation.

The villagers have already made it clear that they are not happy with the compensation amount offered to them. It has been learnt that HPCL has planned to offer a compensation of 10 percent of the total value  obtained after multiplying the guidance value by four,  whereas the villagers have demanded the district administration to give 90 percent of the market value of the land as compensation as against the compensation given based on the guidance value.

In a meeting between the HPCL officials and villagers held at the deputy commissioner’s office recently the Land Acquisition Officer Krishnamurthy clarified that there was permission to grow coconut and arecanut in the area where the pipeline passes.

A decision has also been taken to jointly monitor the land and compensation will be given for the loss of yield, if the land loses its fertility. The same was done in the HPCL’s Mudra-Delhi pipeline.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim addressed to all the grievances of the villagers and said that he would look into the demand for revising compensation in a balanced way. He also called for a meeting of the villagers and officials on January 23 at 10 am, to discuss the issue.

The pipeline will pass through Mangalore, Bantwal and Belthangady taluks.