The construction of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) station in Kanan Vihar, spearheaded by GAIL (Gas Authority of India Limited), has been suspended following public outcry and legal intervention.
The Khurda district administration determined that the project violated safety regulations, as the station was being built less than five meters away from residential buildings without obtaining a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Local residents, led by 86-year-old Shukadev Mohanty, filed a petition with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) asserting that the project posed a significant risk to lives and property. The petition highlighted a breach of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, which require a minimum distance of 50 meters between fuel stations and residential areas.
District authorities have issued a show-cause notice to GAIL and halted the construction pending further investigation. Ensuring public safety is our priority. Legal compliance must be adhered to,” stated Khurda Collector Chanchal Rana. Residents are demanding the station’s relocation to an area that meets safety norms.
The NGT’s decision regarding legal repercussions and next steps for GAIL is anticipated soon.
