GAIL pipeline: HC upholds blanket clearance by state govt

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has declined to interfere with the single-window clearance granted by the state government for implementing the GAIL (India) Ltd's pipeline project in Kerala.
A division bench of the court considered an appeal (W.A. No. 685/2013) filed by M Murugananthan of Walayar in Palakkad and 33 other persons owning lands in the region.
They had challenged an order issued by the Industries Department on September 24, 2010 granting a blanket clearance to GAIL for setting up the pipeline project in the state.
It was alleged by the appellants that arbitrary power has been conferred on GAIL through the blanket clearance and it is in violation of the constitutional right to equality before law (Article 14).
Declining to agree, the division bench said the blanket clearance has not conferred any authority on GAIL to proceed other than in accordance with law. Even going by the documents produced along with the petition, it is clear that GAIL has been proceeding only in accordance with law, the court said.
Further, the court pointed out that nothing has been brought on record to show that GAIL had pursued any action in violation of law on the strength of the blanket clearance. In such circumstances, the court is not satisfied that the blanket clearance has conferred any arbitrary power or authority on GAIL, the judgment stated.