GOACAN has expressed concern about public safety issues related to the public notice issued today by GAIL (India) Limited, regarding the encroachment in the right of user (RoU) of Dabhol Bengaluru Natural Gas Pipeline, in which Curchorem has been shown to be in North Goa.
As per information provided by GOACAN convenor, Roland Martins, in a letter to the deputy collector of Quepem Sharmila Gaonkar, GOACAN has pointed out that in the public notice, one of the issues that needs to be noted is that the pipeline section SV-4G (Curchorem) has been shown to be in North Goa.
There are a number of points mentioned by GAIL (India) Limited claiming to have acquired the right of user in the area where the stated underground pipeline has been laid. The pipeline is carrying highly inflammable and hazardous natural gas.
GOACAN has requested the deputy collector to convene a joint meeting of the concerned agencies such as the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, the Police Department, the Public Works Department, the Block Development Officer of Quepem Taluka and the officials of GAIL (India) Limited so as to verify whether proper signage has been installed along the underground pipeline.
There is also the question of whether the village panchayats through which the said underground pipeline passes have been informed of the same; and whether a map of the underground pipeline has been kept in all the concerned offices.
Whether any public safety and fire safety awareness sessions on the do's and don'ts regarding the highly inflammable and hazardous natural gas have been conducted.
Furthermore, copies of the GOACAN letter have been sent to the chief secretary, the collector and district magistrate of South Goa, the director of fire and emergency services, the PWD principal chief engineer, the deputy director of panchayats (South), the SP (South) Goa Police and the director of civil supplies and consumer affairs.