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.