The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has on Tuesday flagged concerns on the ongoing Gas Pipeline Project along the stretch of the National Highway 29 which it claimed is taking place without proper consultation with concerned stakeholders and landowners. The organisation has therefore asked National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) to suspend work, stating that the public ought to be educated on the merits and demerits of such a mega project.

In a press statement, AYO along with its four ranges – Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO), Western Angami Youth Organisation (WAYO) and Chakhroma Angami Youth Organisation (CAYO) – informed that IGGL is the company undertaking the project which is bound for Manipur. It also slammed NHIDCL for grating the Right of Way for laying the Gas Pipeline despite of being aware of the natural calamities and accidents that occur every now and then along the National Highway. The Angami Youth Organisation declared that the project is nothing but a time-bomb waiting to be triggered at any moment.

Who will hold the responsibility in the event it leads to any catastrophe in the future? AYO questioned, reminding that Nagaland falls under the seismic zone-V as per the data brought out by the National Centre for Seismology. Economy matters, yet, safety of lives is paramount to any development, it added.

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In the statement, the Organisation’s President, Kesosul Christopher Ltu and General Secretary Neidilhoutuo Sechü mentioned that the Chakhroma Youth Organisation had already submitted several representations and press statements on the issue which IGGL and NHIDCL had ignored and gone ahead with the work, transporting the gas pipes to the Western Angami jurisdiction under Kohima district.

While criticising the Nagaland Government and IGGL for their casual approach towards the project that could have catastrophic impact, AYO strongly advocated educating the public about the risks and safety measures the gas pipeline involves.

In view of all the concerns, Angami Youth Organisation informed IGGL and NHIDCL to refrain from carrying out any works related to the Gas Pipeline Project on NH 29.