The missed opportunities!

Tamil Nadu has become a centre for protests, regardless of the economic consequences to its State and people. The Kudankulam reactor, set up with the Russian support came under sustained attacks and protests. Sterilite Copper, the mega running smelter came under attack for non-compliance of environmental norms and was shutdown. Similarly, Rs. 3000 crore, 884 Kms Kochi-Koothanadu, Bengaluru-Mangalore gas grid of GAIL was forced out of Tamil Nadu. The gas line was earlier to pass through 310 Kms of Tamil Nadu.

The Gail Gas Grid project was conceived in 2007 to offer cheaper natural gas from Petronet CNG from its Kochi terminal to the southern states and was for completion by 2013. After protracted seesaw legal battles between the farmers and GAIL, the case became a State Vs GAIL in the Apex court. The State now stood with the farmers and wanted the pipelines not laid in Tamil Nadu. However, the Supreme Court in Feb 2015, permitted the project in the largest interest of the Nation. The State filed a review petition and petitioned PM Modi.

Tamil Nadu missed out the gas pipeline, which was moved outside the State. PM Modi inaugurated the project from Kochi to Mangalore yesterday. It will be connected to Bengaluru in the coming months. Not every land is blessed with underground resources, in minerals, metals or fossil fuels. Though the land is dear to any farmer, sensibilities must rely on the long-term benefits and must not succumb to emotions.

The Left, which led the farmers’ protests in Tamil Nadu was quieter in Kerala, which would now benefit from the gas and perhaps some royalty. I always thought Tamils were as intelligent as the rest. The events must prove to the affirmative, which it does not!

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix