Steps are being taken to keep fuel prices under control: Union minister Suresh Gopi

Coimbatore: Steps are being taken to keep fuel prices under control and to prevent sharp hikes, Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas and tourism Suresh Gopi said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters at the airport here, Suresh Gopi said, “What will happen if everything is distributed free of cost without controlling prices, and stocks run out? Everything has to be managed in a balanced manner.”

Later, speaking at a review meeting here to assess the projects of BPCL, IOCL and GAIL, the minister said gas and petroleum pipeline projects in Tamil Nadu must be completed without delay as their progress is crucial for similar work to be finished in Kerala, Karnataka and other states. Citing global wars and the prevailing international economic situation, he urged officials to avoid time overruns and expedite execution of the national projects.

According to officials, BPCL’s pipeline project from Irugur in Coimbatore to Devanahalli in Karnataka passes through multiple districts, including Coimbatore, Tirupur, Namakkal and Salem.

The meeting also reviewed the Coimbatore–Salem GAIL project. Participants discussed pipeline-laying work from Irugur in Coimbatore district to Muthur in Tirupur district over a distance of around 70 km. They stressed the need to speed up ongoing work and resolve bottlenecks.

Union minister Suresh Gopi said compensation norms for crop loss due to land acquisition had been revised. “Earlier, 20% compensation was given for crop loss. Now, 100% is being provided,” he said.

Emphasising that the projects were of national importance, he said officials were aware of their significance and that the infrastructure would support the transition towards greener energy. “The faster we complete the project, the better it will be for everyone,” he said. Oil company officials and others attended the meeting.

Officials from eight districts, including Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and Salem, took part in the discussions.