Mangaluru: Environmentalists oppose construction of tunnel on Shiradi Ghat


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 11: Shiradi Ghat which is the lifeline between the state capital of Bengaluru and Mangaluru is used by thousands of goods and passenger vehicles every day. However, the frequent landslides that occur on the Ghat have caused delays and inconvenience to motorists, especially during monsoon. The union government has come up with a new plan to do away with the landslide and other issues on the ghat. It has the plan of building tunnels on the ghat.

The union government has given the go-ahead for the construction of the tunnel road on NH 75 on Shiradi Ghat. The tunnel will be 23.6 km in length. All processes including tender etc of the project will be completed soon. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the tunnel construction was given by the Indian Institute of Science. Accordingly, the union government has approved the project.

As the project falls under Western Ghat limits, there were numerous legal obstacles for the same. However, now all the issues are resolved and the project will be implemented within a few years. However, environmentalists have put an objection to the proposed tunnel construction on Shiradi Ghat. The environmentalists say that this project will damage the environment of Western Ghats and will result in more landslides in the coming years. In addition, natural water resources and wild animals living in the area will also get affected. So the environmentalists are urging the government to withdraw the proposed project.

  

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  • Meenakshi, Donigal/Bengaluru

    Sat, Mar 13 2021

    When Pune is connected to Mumbai via a Tunnel highway through the Western Ghats, Bengaluru also needs to be connected with Mangalore in the same way via tunnels. Feasibility studies have been conducted in the DPR and wildlife ecosystem won't get affected. Foreign countries such as European nations, China, etc. are making great infrastructural progress, but in India these environmentalists act as if they know everything. Tunnel roads won't affect the ecosystem in anyway. The Mumbai-Pune tunnel expressway is proof. These environmentalists can plant thousands of trees later as well. Why don't these same environmentalists clean up the polluted water bodies across various cities? Environmentalists are a mafia in my humble opinion, similar to the private bus lobby and NRI lobby.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash Nayak, Karkala

    Tue, Apr 06 2021

    Yes well said.. these environmentalists does under pain of people.. if economic don't grow then no job.. currently Mangalore growth halted because of no good connectivity between Bangalore and Mangalore.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Binu, Marnahally

    Sat, Mar 13 2021

    we have created many dams in shiradi ghat , now elephents lost their way and coming to villages, Ethinahalla project started 5 years more they dig mountain is collapsing. It is like drilling the heart of mother nature nature is started retaliating still the greed has no end.. It is just a money making scam, why do u need to spend 12000Cr to gain 2.5km? after that you will come to Gundya to Mangalore highway another miss managed road. the current shiradi ghat road is good maintenance also good.

    DisAgree [47] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mayur, Udupi

    Sat, Mar 13 2021

    This Shiradi tunnel highway project should be completed quickly without any delay. It is urgently needed. The journey from Mangaluru to Bengaluru takes over 8 hours while the Karnataka capital city to Chennai journey takes only 4 and half hours. Both Mangaluru and Chennai are 350 km away from Bangalore. Environmentalists can plant some trees on the Western Ghats if they are so concerned.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [56] Reply Report Abuse

  • Avinash Anchan, Mangalore

    Sat, Mar 13 2021

    Another money making scam... They fought hard for Yettinahole project and they won the money...... Now this project... Public shouldnt support such so called environMentalist.... Who are using people to gain popularity n make money... It's not far that ull only get to see Westerghats on Map.... These people will destroy the nature in the name of development.....

    DisAgree [56] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ruben pinto, Mangalore/Australia

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    I don't think they are environmentalist , they are plain mentalists.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [74] Reply Report Abuse

  • Damodar, Thonse

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    We have parisara premi*s another name for environment lovers, who are solely responsible to bring Nagarjuna Power Plant, presently Udupi Power Plant in the year 2008. It is a coal based thermal power station using saline water from the sea in its cooling towers. As a result Nandikur and Ellur villages have become uninhabitable place as the well water is salty and the environment is polluted with fly ash. In addition the surrounding area paddy fields have become uncultivable. Thanks to the so called environmentalists. Whereas this project saves trees, do not disturb wild life, do not pollute atmosphere as much as it does when driving with low gear, saves travel time and saves fuel. In this project if implemented its plus plus situation which this so called environmentalists oppose. Another money making scheme as parisara premis

    DisAgree [10] Agree [66] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dhanush, Sakleshpur

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    The tunnel road through the Shiradi Ghat is very much essential. The railway line connecting our Sakleshpur and Bengaluru with Dakshina Kannada district should also be incorporated within the tunnel for fast travel. We people of Sakleshpur are highly dependent on Mangaluru for healthcare, education, jobs and shopping. Similarly the people of Mangaluru also like Sakleshpur for its pleasant climate throughout the year. The elevation of Sakleshpur is over 3200 feet above sea level. Moreover the Sakleshpur-Mangaluru travel time will be only 2 hours and the Bengaluru-Mangaluru travel time will be reduced to approximately 5.5 hours. Environmentalists should focus on other aspects instead of unnecessarily putting the brakes on useful infrastructure projects. I hope and pray that the Shiradi Ghat tunnel gets implemented. I am a native of Sakleshpur.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [92] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rems, Mangaluru

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    How is a tunnel environmentally bad compare to a road ? I would like to know from environmentalists who are opposing this project.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [81] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajen Gopi, Kolkata

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    No idea if environmentalists are opportunists or otherwise - but a look at the Kuthiran Tunnel (Palakad - Thrissur) will give enough sense to those who are for the project. The contractor/administration nexus will ensure that u don't get a tunnel and at the same time will destroy the existing roads.

    DisAgree [78] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Balike Bharath, Kudla

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Definitely, we need to listen to the concerns of the environmentalists. We have seen the damage caused to the environment due to the ongoing Ettinahole project. Hope the tunnel construction will not weaken the hills thereby causing the widespread landslides, more so, during the rainy days. 2. Better option would be to stop the plying of bullet tankers and asking them to use the goods train, extensively. 3. More passenger trains, both day and night, via Hassan, Sakleshpur will reduce the pressure on ghat roads. 4. More goods train transporting commodities, will reduce the number of trucks on ghat roads. 5. Last, but not the least, development of all regions absolutely essential, but not at the cost of depleting green cover.

    DisAgree [96] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe, Mangalorean

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Because in Europe and western countries environmentalists is not a profession, nobody funds them.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil Kumar, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    They are vongun for money

    DisAgree [4] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • M.Suresh, Udupi

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Environmentalists opposing every developmental works for one reason or the other

    DisAgree [8] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • VR, Udupi

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    According to the report, DPR was provided by IIS Bengaluru which is a premier institute consisting of top notch environmental engineers. Actually, such a long tunnel will save quite a bit of forest. If they had to cut the hill along the current road to broaden the road, it will not only need massive retaining walls built to prevent landslides, extensive forest clearing needed. The tunnels will also facilitate gradual elevation and less sharp turns making it more efficient to drive both in terms of speed and fuel savings. Long run, there is also need to have 2nd railway track built both for goods and passenger traffic. The 2nd track can be built to handle semi-high speed trains.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [93] Reply Report Abuse

  • sense_shetty, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Environmentalist ..Please come and clean all the plastic and garbage thrown in city rivers ..Kulur pavange,Nethravathi.. Do not simply waste your time and energy This is horata type business will not work anymore ..

    DisAgree [6] Agree [116] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kudla Stories, Kudla

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Dear environmental activists, you should understand one thing. If a tunnel is built, the forest will flourish once again. There will reduction in various kinds of pollution and there will be smooth flow of traffic. But if you dont want the tunnel at all, then make syre you also urge the govt to give us better roads. It is your job to find an alternative that too a viable one and propose it to the govt. If you dont have a viable second option then stay away and let the govt do its job.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [108] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwin James Karkada, Udupi

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    These so called environmentalists are nothing but money making business and media mongers, particularly in this project because tunnel is being built to save many tree being cut if we had to opt for 3 lane each side road curved on the western ghat, now after extensive studies in Europe, they found out that tunnels are the best options to save environment when it come to constructions of road across ghats and mountains. Do they know how much public money is being wasted year on year to repair and maintain the road on western ghat without any permanent solution up till date, do they know how many lifes have been lost due to this bad roads and frequent landslides, now as the government finally understood that a major national highway connecting two major cities of Karnataka is in a pathetic state of affairs and in few years time port in Chennai may not be able to handle the cargo coming from Bangalore because they are overwhelmed by the cargo coming from northeast states, as these states starts opening up for multi national companies. Government has only option to build an all weather road connecting Bangalore and Mangalore port if it had to sustain the growth of Bangalore.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [107] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anilkumar, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Environment people have no business to interfere with progressive projects in the name of protection. Let them first protect the roads from getting invaded by thrash, illegal occupation, lack of maintenance. Just to make their presence felt they cannot keep raising issue periodically on critical projects.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [99] Reply Report Abuse

  • rahulraj, kadri

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    i just want to know what these environmentalists ultimately achieve in life by protesting for each and every development works. If hey are so much concerned why dont they plant a single plant in city or highways??..I guess all these are bogus people who try get money by opposing all projects.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [102] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian DSouza, Udupi/ Mumbai

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Pollution caused by huge traffic and emission of carbon dioxide also causes severe environment damage. Shortening distance and reduced traffic will lessen the pollution emission. Travel requirement is inevitable.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [57] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prabha, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Where these environmentalist sleeping while the proposal was put ? The tunnel will constructed under the guidence of a Japanese company so sure they will not compromise in quality & safety Looks like these envoirmental guys need some rokda( commision) or they need some importance.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [108] Reply Report Abuse

  • Paul, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Insane . There is do much problems on this Ghats & when the Govt.wants to do some developments these enviomentslist has a problem. Why dont these guys search a solution then creating problems.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [88] Reply Report Abuse

  • flavian, chik

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Hope they dont mess western ghats ..saving western ghats is moreimportant for human beings to survive . We have charmadi /shiradi why more tunnels ...

    DisAgree [103] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Stop the tunnel construction at Ghats.I fear the same as Environmentalists say.It has already enough problem has arised.Now when they start tunnel work will be a beginn of more problems than are.Whole ghats may comedown with the work beginns ,as it is not easy to bore inside.One never know what is underneath .specially in rainy season will be problems for the vehicles to pass from above due to rain ,more mud may slide down.Hope the govt.has thought its action good.

    DisAgree [110] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • rahulraj, kadri

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    This tunnel is very much important for development of Mangalore. You maybe in Germany. But you have to trust the capabilities of Indian engineers. Engineering have solution for all these.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [103] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kudla Stories, Kudla

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    Dear Rita, no country builds roads and tubnels jist like that. The soil the ricks everything underneath is tested. A detailed feasibility study has already been done before the decision was taken. This is the norm. The roads in Germany is run Auto Bahn. I am sure you may know the history there. I am sure you will also know if many hundreds if tunnels built. And Auto Bahn was created by Hitler.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [85] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kishore Kumar, Mangaluru

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    ,,, environMENTALists started again !

    DisAgree [6] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sathish Kumar Shetty, Bangalore

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    They are having same aganda like kannada (h) orata peoples, to be in news whenever their absence felt. Thanks to coastel area public not bothered to notice their agitation.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [56] Reply Report Abuse

  • nellu, kudla

    Fri, Mar 12 2021

    its all bus mafia nd some ministers are indirecxtly making excuses to delay the project. bus mafia also played major role in bengaloor to mlre train in odd time or mlre mysore blre train delays train journey. if tunnel is formed travelling time dcereases so bus owners cant run their buisness. bus mafia nd polticians played major role in delayed TUNNEL project since many years.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [88] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sanjeev Kamath, Udupi

    Thu, Mar 11 2021

    What do these Environmentalists do except opposing national development? Let them get out of their comfortable armchairs and offset the developmental projects, instead!! True impotence, indeed!!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [89] Reply Report Abuse

  • AR Kunil, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 11 2021

    In Europe, most of the mountains with thick vegetations are widely and rapidly making long tunnels to shorten the distance, time, accidents and fuel.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [90] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru: Environmentalists oppose construction of tunnel on Shiradi Ghat



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