MARGAO, April 30 -- Varca residents including farmers stopped the ongoing works of laying of a gas pipeline in private properties and agricultural lands, as they claim that the same is illegal and has been carried out without prior intimation to the original landowners.

At Combiapedd, Varca, workers engaged by contractors were found carrying out works in private property without even informing the landowners or acquiring the necessary permissions. A gas pipeline laid in an area with agricultural lands on both sides of the road has caused anxiety among citizens including the farmers, who expressed concerns about the potential consequences if something goes wrong once the pipeline is made operational.

Rajiv Baracho, a citizen and landowne...