DIMAPUR — The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has opposed the ongoing gas pipeline project along the stretch of the National Highway 29, on the ground that the exercise is being carried out without educating the public on its merits and demerits.
The AYO, in a press release, said that it has come to the knowledge of the organisation that the exercise for a massive gas pipeline project along the stretch of NH- 29 is being carried out without having proper consultation with the concerned stakeholders and landowners.
“The office of the AYO has learnt that a company called 'Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited' (IGGL) is undertaking the gas pipeline project which is bound for Manipur.
“The AYO, in its meeting with the four ranges – SAYO, NAYO, WAYO and CYO, has come out with the resolution that a mega project of this nature cannot be carried out without educating the public on its merits and demerits,” the organisation said.
The AYO pointed out that the multiple incidents of bursting of gas pipelines across the country, which led to loss of lives and property, should serve as a reminder before initiating such as a mega project.
It also maintained that Nagaland state, which falls under the seismic zone-V as per the data brought out by the National Centre for Seismology, cannot ignore the risk involved in implementing the gas pipeline project.
Economy matters, yet, safety of lives is paramount to any development, it asserted.
“Although the gas pipeline may benefit the market and its economy in a huge way, nevertheless, we cannot rule out the negative consequences that we may face along the course of time. A project such as this will constantly endanger the lives of the people, especially those villages and the populace along the stretch of the NH-29.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]“When we all know that our land is prone to so many natural calamities, why won’t the public have apprehension that major catastrophic incidents are bound to happen anytime even on a slightest mishap or technical breakdown. Who will hold the responsibility in the event it leads to any catastrophe in the future?” the AYO added.
The organisation went on to state that the NHIDCL is well aware of the natural calamities and accidents that occur every now and then along the National Highway, and that the project of laying the gas pipeline along that stretch is nothing but a “time-bomb waiting to be triggered at any moment.”
Condemning and questioning the NHIDCL for grating the Right of Way for laying the gas pipeline along the National Highway 29, the AYO alleged that the NHIDCL’s action was “just for the purpose of financial benefits.”
“At a time when the Chakhroma Youth Organisation, the apex youth body of one of the four AYO ranges, had submitted several representations and press statements, yet, the IGGL and the NHIDCL had the audacity to go ahead in continuing their works by transporting the gas pipes to the Western Angami jurisdiction under Kohima district,” it said.
According to the AYO, this clearly indicates the irresponsible behaviour of the NHIDCL and IGGL towards the public.
Further, the organisation said that, taking all things into consideration, there is a lackadaisical approach from the government and the company undertaking the project.
“We strongly feel that the public needs to be educated about the project, particularly the risk and the safety measures it involves.
“With effect from issuing of this press statement, the AYO and all the four ranges have unanimously decided that any work related to the gas pipeline project should be kept suspended within the Angami region,” it stated.
Informing both the IGGL and NHIDCL to refrain from carrying out any works related to the said project, the AYO cautioned that failure to comply would be at their own risk.