Opposition clouds future of Gail gas project in B'gavi

Belagavi: The proposed compressed GAIL biogas project at the outskirts of Mandoli village has run into uncertainty following strong opposition from the locals, coupled with reported assurance from Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar that she would not allow the project to come up in the area.BCC had identified around nine acres of land at Mandoli for the project, and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) representatives reportedly finalised the site. However, the project's future has become uncertain after the minister intervened in response to local resistance.Over 100 villagers from Mandoli and Hangaraga met Hebbalkar on Sunday and urged her to block the project. They voiced concerns over the possibility of foul odour, environmental pollution and potential long-term health hazards from the waste-processing unit.The villagers categorically opposed the project and demanded its immediate cancellation. Following the meeting, members of the delegation claimed that the minister assured them that the proposed biogas project would not be allowed in Mandoli village. The minister's assurance has brought relief to the residents.According to sources, GAIL has sought at least 10 acres of contiguous land at a single location to set up the plant and has offered to bear the entire cost of the project. After local authorities finalised the land parcel, steps were reportedly initiated to transfer the revenue department land to the city corporation before handing it over to GAIL for the project.BCC had been exploring the biogas project as an alternative waste-management solution amid sustained opposition to the existing garbage disposal depot at Turmuri. However, locals of Mandoli and Hangaraga are resisting the proposal, making the future of the project uncertain.