Lok Sabha Question No. 696 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Gas Pipeline Project of GAIL
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 696

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2016

## GAS PIPELINE PROJECT OF GAIL

## 696.     SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

- (a)  whether the Government is aware that the proposed Kochi-Koottanad-Mangaluru-Bengaluru gas  pipeline  project  of  GAIL  India  Limited  and  is  likely  to  severely  impact  the  agricultural property of thousands of farmers in several districts of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  has  suggested  and  made  a  representation  to  the Government to realign the said pipeline route along the highways and to resolve the said issue through a constructive and accommodative approach; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्रािय में राज् य मंत्ररी (स् विंत्र प्राार ( श्ररी धमेन्द  र प्रधान

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)  IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a)  & (b): The Kochi-Koottanad-Mangaluru-Bengaluru gas pipeline (KKMBPL) project of GAIL is passing  through  the  states  of  Kerala,  Tamilnadu  and  Karnataka.  The  Right  of  User (RoU) in land is being acquired as per the provisions of the Petroleum & Minerals Pipelines (P&MP) Act, 1962 across the country including the state of Tamilnadu. Acquisition of the RoU in land for the KKMBPL project for laying of gas pipeline is not permanent acquisition and the ownership  of  the  land  remains  with  the  land-owner(s).  Once  the  pipeline  is  laid,  the  land  is restored to the farmers and they can continue the agricultural activities. Only construction of permanent  structures/buildings,  plantation  of  deep  rooted  trees  etc.  are  not  allowed  in  the acquired RoU. Compensation is paid to land owner(s) for the affected area of land and damages or  loss  sustained  due  to  removal  of  trees  and/or  standing  crops,  temporary  severance  of  the affected  area  of  land  or  in  the  occupation  of  affected  person  and  any  damage/  injury  to  any other movable or immovable property in the affected area of land or the earnings of such person etc. as per applicable provisions of P&MP Act, 1962.

(c) & (d): The Government had received a suggestion from the State Government of Tamil Nadu  for  re-alignment  of  the  KKMBPL  route  along  the  national  highways.  The  State Government of Tamil Nadu has constituted an expert committee for route selection including feasibility  study  for  laying  pipeline  along  National  Highways/State  Highways/Roads  and requested  for  nomination  of  officials  of  GAIL  for  the  expert  committee.  Accordingly,  the Government of India  has conveyed the nomination of three members to the Government of Tamil  Nadu  for  participating  in  the  said  expert  committee  meeting  on  being  convened  and requested Government of Tamil Nadu to fix an appropriate compensation package to facilitate smooth  acquisition  of  hindrance  free  RoU  in  land  as  a  constructive  and  accommodative approach.

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