The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by the Tamil Nadu government against GAIL’s Kochi-Mangalore liquefied natural gas pipeline, seeking its re-alignment.

The 504-km pipeline costing Rs 3000 crore passes through five districts of Tamil Nadu, with farmers saying it affects several acres of farmland.

The apex court however said that the state government, which has supported the farmers, has no jurisdiction to seek re-alignment of the pipeline. Further, GAIL has argued that this jurisdiction lies with the Centre.

The SC has asked the state government to reconsider its computation of market value of lands impacted by the pipeline and has also directed GAIL to pay higher compensation to affected farmers.

GAIL said that it had obtained all necessary clearances and had already invested Rs 600 crore in the project. GAIL even claimed that a majority of farmers had no objections to the plan.