Pics: Inchara Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
 
Udupi, Mar 12: “The construction of the proposed underground rock caverns for strategic storage of crude oil by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) at Padoor, near here, will be undertaken by taking the locals into confidence and under the direction of the deputy commissioner (DC)”, said ISPRL deputy general manager Ahuja.
 
Ahuja was addressing the local residents during a public meeting held at Sri Mahalingeshwar Temple auditorium, Jalanjar, near here, on Thursday March 11. The public meeting was organized by ISPRL and Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to provide information on the proposed project to the locals and people’s representatives.
 

“Padoor project is under union government pertaining to national security and we have the aim of completing the project by 2012.  As per the direction of the union government, the permission of the state administration has been sought and an application has been already submitted to the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), for issuance of a no objection letter,” added Ahuja. 
 
When the local residents queried about the compensation to those likely to be displaced and also rehabilitation, KIADB officer S Krishnamurti said that ISPRL has already handed over the compensation to KIADB meant to be awarded to the displaced families. 

A meeting will be convened on Friday March 26 under the leadership of the DC to arrive at a decision in this regard.  Meanwhile, the process of distribution of compensation will begin within two months of the meeting.
 
ISPRL chief manager Vijayanand, Kaup circle inspector Cheluvaraj, taluk panchayat CEO Ramanand Nayak, Majoor gram panchayat president Sugandi, and Padoor Rakshana Samiti president Dr Sacchidanand Shetty were present at the meeting.
 
Taluk panchayat member Arun Shetty presided over the meeting.
 
The locals who are likely to be affected by the project—Ravindra Shetty, Jayakrishna Alva, Laxman Poojary, and others presented their petitions.