Since the refinery project is being set up at Bina in Madhya Pradesh, the State Government had reportedly taken a stance that it would allow the pipeline to pass through Gujarat only if the Madhya Pradesh Government cooperates with the State on the contentious Sardar Sarovar Project.

In view of this, the Chief Minister's statement on Wednesday at his weekly Cabinet press briefing that the BORL pipeline should not be linked with the Sardar Sarovar Project is being seen in political circles as a major climb-down under pressure from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The Secretariat was agog with reports that the PMO was keen on the State Government softening its opposition to the project under the pretext of environmental problems.

In response to a volley of questions, the Chief Minister attempted to erase the impression that Gujarat was opposed to the BORL pipeline. He said, ``The pipeline is to stretch right till Allahabad and not just Bina, so there is no question of us linking this with the SSP.'' Besides, he said the SSP issue was pending in the Supreme Court.

He denied that there was political pressure on the Government and said, ``Our representatives were called at a meeting in Delhi on the project last week, and the final environmental clearance will be given by the Union Environment Ministry; there is no political pressure.'' In reply to another question, he said the refinery is a national-level project and it is obvious the PMO may be keen on it.

Patel said since the single-buoy mooring (SBM) was now to be set up in the Gujarat Maritime Board waters instead of the Kandla Port, the Gujarat Government would earn Rs 40 crore to Rs 50 crore from it. ``Why should we oppose it?'' he asked.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister P K Laheri said there was little scope for the Gujarat Government to restrict the project because it needed clearance under the Forest Conservation Act and the Wildlife Protection Act which to be given by the Union Environment Ministry. The Coastal Regulation Zone permit is issued by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, but there is a provision for Union Environment Ministry to review it.