No gas pipeline before completion of four-lane road, says WAPO

DIMAPUR — The Western Angami Public Organisation (WAPO) has asserted that no gas pipeline connection will be allowed along Package III stretch of National Highway 29 until the primary project—construction of NH 29—is completed in accordance with the detailed project report (DPR) and specifications.

Package III of the NH 29 roughly covers the Piphema to Jotsoma stretch (Design Km 152.490 to Km 166.700) along the Kohima-Dimapur road.

In a press release on Thursday, the WAPO said that the lands, owned by numerous landowners, were ‘concertedly leased out’ to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) specifically for the purpose of constructing a four lane highway, not for any other projects.

“We are of the view that paying off land compensation for a certain agreed project doesn’t mean anything can be installed or established regardless of the safety and health hazard of the denizens of the vicinity,” WAPO stated in the press release.

The organisation insisted that no other projects should be taken up under any circumstances until the primary project is completed and a fresh memorandum of understanding (MoU) is signed with the apex organisation of the region, especially for projects that may endanger public safety.

While acknowledging that achieving 100% safety in modern projects is challenging, it pointed out that gas plant tragedies in India and globally have been alarmingly frequent. Moreover, the land along the stretch is characterised by moisture, susceptibility to sinking, and a high risk of landslides. The abundant groundwater presence further accelerates the corrosion and oxidation of metal, making the proposed project likely to pose risks to the residents, outweighing the marginal benefits it may offer, WAPO argued.

In this scenario, WAPO stated that any discourse and deliberation for public approval of a new project can be initiated only when the primary project (four lane) is completed and the safety of laying such a pipeline is assured.

Until such time, any company or agency engaging in activities, such as the ongoing gas pipeline connection, without the prior permission of the public organisation of the area, will be held accountable for any untoward incidents that may arise from any quarter, it said.

Public safety and security is a top priority and no authority, in any normal situation, can hijack and compromise the safety of the other through any unilateral decision without the consent of those affected, it added.