Gail India is facing opposition for its Kochi-Koottanad-Banglore-Manglore (KKBMPL) pipeline project not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Kerala. Though Gail India was able to complete the first phase of its pipeline project smoothly in Kerala up to Ernakulam but the problem has started while starting the second phase. People have raised fear saying that gas pipelines will endanger life and property. As a result of this gas evacuation from Petronet LNG’s Kochi terminal has been limited with gas being supplied to customers like FACT, BPCL and Nitta Gelatin only. It may be recalled here that Petronet LNG had commissioned 5 MMTPA Kochi LNG terminal in August last year.
Gail India had planned to transport the gas from Kochi terminal through 1,114 km long pipeline from Kochi to Kanjirkkod and to Bangalore/Mangalore passing through three states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Initially, the project faced stiff opposition in Tamil Nadu which has now spilled over to Kerala further compounding the problems of the national gas supplier. According to the sources in Gail India, agitations are mainly aimed at getting better price for the land.
