Karnataka Forest Dept Opposes Nilambur- Nanjangud Railway Line; Meeting on March 27  

Bengaluru: Karnataka forest department has objected the proposed Nilambur-Nanjangud railway line which connects Karnataka with Kerala state with a short distance. The objection came from the forest department following the proposed route requires a 19 kilometer underground tunnel via Nagarahole Sanctuary to reach Nilambur. The planned railway line has a length of 174 kilometer out of which 62 kilometer moves through Karnataka state.  Karnataka forest officials have opposed the project as it requires an underground tunnel via Nagarahole even if it doesn’t harm the sanctuary in anyway.  

According to the Railway line project expert E Sreedharan, if the project implemented, then Karnataka would get linked with ports located in Kerala which have shortest distance from Karnataka when compared to Mangaluru and Chennai ports. Following the objections from the forest department, a meeting with the chief secretary of Karnataka is scheduled to be held on March 27. The proposed tunnel via Nagarahole won’t harm the ecological balance of the sanctuary as it could be constructed beneath the ground.