IMC orders removal of PNG plant from Sadhna Nagar

INDORE: Civic body officials on Saturday ordered removal of a piped natural gas (PNG) plant set up on a piece of land meant for garden in Sadhna Nagar by Avantika Gas Limited (AGL). Orders were issued after AGL failed to produce permission for the gas plant.
Terming it as encroachment, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) ordered its removal.
Recently, Lok Adalat at district court had asked IMC, local residents and AGL officials to settle the issue at their level.However, on Saturday when officers from gas agency failed to show permission, IMC swung into action.
Nearly three years ago, AGL had set-up the plant that was protested by Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA). Association has cited safety concerns and encroachment of land meant for garden.
When local residents failed to find a solution to the problem, they moved court seeking its intervention. Secretary of Sadhna Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, Rajesh Binjwe, said, “AGL encroached on nearly 2,000 sq ft garden land without any permission. IMC had granted permission to lay pipeline and not for plant. Gas plant near residential colony is a threat for people living in the area,” he said.
Binjwe further said, it takes more than an hour for gas agency representative to reach the spot after any gas leakage complaint is raised by residents. “People are afraid going to the park.” On August 31, three people sustained serious burn injuries after a PNG pipeline burst and caught fire in heavily crowded Banganga area of the city.
In June 2014, IMC had permitted AGL to lay gas pipeline.
City Engineer, IMC, Ashok Rathore, said, “The plant is illegal as gas agency officials could not produce necessary permission. IMC had permitted gas agency to lay pipeline only. We have ordered to remove the plant and encroachment.”
Court will be hearing the matter on March 28.