Karnataka: Hubballi-Ankola Project In Limbo As Railway Ministry Not Hopeful About Environmental Clearances

The progress of the Hubballi-Ankole line project has come under question mark due to delay in getting the required clearances in the Western Ghats region.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that it is nearly impossible to carry out the project since the environment and forest clearances are not being provided easily. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy met Goyal on Thursday.

The ministry wants to take up projects that can be implemented soon and not the ones that will go to court because of environmental issues. Deccan Herald quoted Railway minister telling Kumaraswamy, “Even if the Ministry of Environment gives its clearance, environmentalists will approach court again. We will have to spend huge money for legal battle. The Railways is not in a position to spend money unnecessarily.”

This project has been aimed at boosting the economic activities in the backward regions of the state. This will be the first time a gateway will be established from the northern part of the state to the coast.

If implemented, the project will need two lakh trees to be chopped. The 168.28 km long project as it stands will also pass through elephant and tiger corridors.