Gas co told to remove CNG facility near Cacora school

Margao: The sub-divisional magistrate of Quepem has ordered Indian Oil Adani Gas Pvt Ltd to remove an unauthorised CNG storage and distribution facility in Cacora, Curchorem, within seven days, citing safety concerns over its proximity to a school for special children and a govt ITI.Deputy collector Manohar Karekar issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, after an inspection by the Quepem mamlatdar and Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council confirmed 20 CNG cylinders, each of 150kg capacity, were installed and connected to a pipeline and distribution unit without statutory clearances. The inspection found the company lacked a construction licence, land use conversion sanad, and fire safety NOC, despite the site being 75m from the ITI and 250m from Chetna Charitable Trust’s school.The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation flagged deficiencies and declined approval.The land, owned by Deu Mahadev Devasthan and leased to the company, was to house a de-compression unit under a PNGRB-authorised network, with permissions pending.The SDM rejected this, stating applications do not justify hazardous installations, and warned of demolition at the company’s cost.