Special Correspondent

Panaji, Nov 18: Goa government’s proposed underground gas pipeline project has met with the opposition from farmers hailing from three farming dominated taluks.

The farmers on Tuesday November 16 met Revenue officer Anthony D’Souza expressing their opposition to Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline which will be plugged at Gokak to provide supply to Goa.

The pipeline is planned by Gas authority of India (GAIL) in association with the state governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa.

The farmers claimed that a pipeline, which crossed through their fields, will part them of their ownership rights. 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 farm.

Officials had claimed that the farming will be untouched but no structures would be allowed in the area in which pipeline passes. The farmers have said that they are apprehensive about the plans of the state government.

“They will take away our land some day,” a farmer, who was part of delegation said. The farmers have not formed any association but had gathered to the district collector’s office after receiving notices.

Deputy collector Anthony D’Souza clarified that the project does not aim to acquire any land. He said that after laying of pipeline by GAIL, the land would be reverted back to the farmers.

The district administration, which has failed to pacify the farmers, have now decided to write to the union petroleum ministry giving details of the opposition.

Authorities stated that after the commissioning of pipeline, two gas stations will be set up in the state from where domestic gas would be supplied.