New Delhi: The Central Government is striving to address controversial projects, including GAIL's Kochi-Bangalore gas pipeline project. This pipeline project, originally planned to traverse Tamil Nadu, has been stalled due to opposition from farmers regarding land acquisition. The State Government has also voiced its opposition and suggested that GAIL lay the pipeline along the national highway.
Following the land acquisition approval, the Government is attempting to persuade the farmers by promising compensation that is four times higher in rural areas and two times higher in urban areas under the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Bill.
The 300 km long mega project of GAIL cuts across 1,600 acres of farmland spanning seven districts in Tamil Nadu.
The anticipated Land Bill stipulates that at least 70 percent of landowners must consent in public-private joint ventures and 80 percent for private sectors. The future of this mega project hinges on whether the farmers find the compensation and resettlement scheme attractive enough to relinquish their lands.
The new Land Bill is expected to be notified on January 1 of the coming year. Within one stipulated year, the notifications of the new law will be implemented, and new rates for compensation, resettlement, and rehabilitation will be established.