The Union ministry of environment and forests (MOEF) has rejected clearance to the proposed Kochi-Bengaluru gas pipeline project that was meant to benefit three states by providing gas distribution for industrial purposes and direct-to-home services.
The delay in the pipeline project could affect the future of Kerala’s dream project, LNG terminal in Puthuvypeen, say sources.
The ministry, in a letter to the Kerala government, said that the Kochi-Koottanad-Bengaluru- Mangalore pipeline project could not be considered for sanction since some forest areas proposed for the pipeline’s diversion were “under litigation” over ownership issues.
The Rs. 3,100-crore Kochi-Bengaluru gas pipeline project was proposed to transport natural gas from LNG terminal in Puthuvypeen in Ernakulam district to the industrial hubs of Bengaluru, Mangalore and Coimbatore.
The 1168 -km pipeline, which is proposed to pass through 15 districts in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, was also meant to provide gas delivery at households and CNG for vehicles.
The Kerala GAIL, a joint venture of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and GAIL (India) Limited, had originally planned to complete the project by March 2013.
The first phase of the project, covering a 50km stretch, is already nearing completion.
The MOEF found that 4.33 hectare land in the Koottanad forest region in Palakkad district, which was earmarked for diversion of the proposed pipeline, is under litigation over the ownership issue.