Pics: Durga Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 29: The government is proposing to set up an underground crude oil storage facility, for the first time in the country, at Padoor-Herur village in the district, as a reserve for meeting exigencies like natural calamity or war. The locals however, are determined to oppose the project tooth and nail.

A company named Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd floated by the union government, has taken up the project and requested the state government to acquire 160.755 acres of land in the village for the purpose. The government has already approved the plans for the construction of this facility at a cost of around Rs 1,250 crore. Sources said, that the place was found to be ideal because of the fact that the area is rocky and even below the ground, huge rocks are found.

The land proposed to be acquired comprises of 119 acres of government land and the balance 41 acres of private land, which is proposed to be acquired through the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board. The company plans to relocate UBMC school, church and 110 houses standing in the land proposed to be acquired.

Even though the Udupi tahsildar feigned ignorance about the project, a notice was displayed at Majoor panchayat about the land acquisition on Thursday August 18, asking people to file objections if any, within two days. People feel, that the officials are out to hoodwink the people and their representatives.

The locals are learnt to have decided to submit their objections to the project en-masse at the office of the the revenue inspector at Kaup today. A special meeting was convened on Thursday on the subject. People vented their anger at the meeting, saying that during the survey, they were given to understand that no one will be evicted from the region. The future of these people is in jeopardy now.