The farmers of Salem district have urged the State and Central governments to provide them ‘adequate’ compensation since they fear that farming activities would come to a standstill in their lands once the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) completes the ambitious Kochin – Bangalore natural gas pipeline project.

Of the 310 kilometre-long underground pipeline that passes through the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Salem and Krishnagiri, as many as 70 km of pipeline traverses through 28 villages in Salem district, mainly through Sankagiri and Omalur taluks.