Goa Government’s proposed underground gas pipeline project has met opposition from farmers hailing from three agriculture-dominated talukas of the state. Farmers from Mormugao, Ponda and Bicholim talukas yesterday met revenue officer Anthony D’Souza expressing their opposition to the Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline, which will be plugged at Gokak to provide supply gas to Goa.
They claimed that due to the pipeline, planned by Gas Authority of India (GAIL) in association with the governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa, they would have to part with the ownership rights of their land. The project is expected to be completed by 2012.
The state administration, which is clearing way for the pipeline had asked the farmers from Mormugao, Ponda and Bicholim talukas not to allow any structure in their farms. Officials claimed that farming will be untouched but no structures would be allowed in the area, through which the pipeline will pass.