Proposal to build flyovers at every 2km: H D Revanna

• Four elevated corridors on 1km length
• Opposition from environmentalists and Kannada activists

Bengaluru/Hassan: The Karnataka state government has decided to go ahead with the Centre’s proposal to build road infrastructure through Bandipur Tiger reserve, despite the mounting opposition against the proposal on building flyovers and barricades by environmentalist groups.

“The Kerala government has moved the Supreme Court in this case and we will take the decision keeping this in mind. The flyover construction work will be done in such a way that it will not disturb the ecology or wild animals,” said PWD Minister H D Revanna, explaining that the state government was considering the proposal to build flyovers at every 2kms.

As per sources, the CM H D Kumaraswamy has sought a report from the chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar and will be soon taking the final decision on the issue with the opposition from environmentalists and Kannada activists in the backdrop.

The CM held a meeting with senior forest officials and was surprised that his government had given consent to the proposal. After the officials informed the CM about the Ill-effects of lifting the ban, the CM understood the severity of his stand and told the officials to inform the state opposition on lifting the night ban and building elevated roads through the reserve.

After the CM reportedly agreed to revoke the ban on night traffic on NH-212 which goes through Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar, the central government approached with the proposal.

According to a recent letter to Mr. Bhaskar, the MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) informs that the CM and PWD minister has agreed to Morth’s recommendation with improvisations including construction of four elevated corridors on 1km length and had assured them of formal consent.

Sources from the Forest Department say that they have given a clear ‘No’ to the proposal from the centre for either the elevated roads through the forest or revoking the night traffic ban.

There was no statement from the CM or his cabinet about the government’s stand on the Centre’s proposal to revoke the night traffic ban through Bandipur, till Thursday evening.