Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 24: Environmentalists are concerned about the green signal given by the union government for the tunnel construction work at Shiradi Ghat to connect port city Mangaluru with state capital Bengaluru.

This four-lane tunnel project that connects Chennai with Mangaluru is on a fast track. The estimated cost of construction of the 23.5 km long highway tunnel is Rs 10,000 crore. But the tunnel will be constructed to a distance of 5.5 km length only. In addition, 10 bridges at a height of 100 meters will be constructed. If the project gets completed, it is opined by experts that it is possible to cover the distance between Mangaluru and Bengaluru within five hours.

File Photo

There are highways and railway tracks already on the environmentally sensitive part of Western Ghats. If the tunnel is built parallel to this highway, there is a chance of landslide. Already seven dams are built under the Yettinahole project and four dams under Kempu Hole water electricity project. The tunnel project will affect them also. Environmentalists say that thousands of trees have been cut for the purpose of constructing the tunnel.

As an alternative, the environmentalists opine that one more lane can be added to the present highway, instead of spending crores of rupees for the tunnel. This will prevent the destruction of the environment and reduce the financial burden, according to Kishore Shiradi, leader of Malenadu Hitharakshana Vedike.

Dinesh Holla, convener of Sahyadri Sanchaya an environmental organization says, "By constructing tunnels on the Western Ghats, the environment is being destroyed further. It is not right to construct a tunnel without making a study of the bearing capacity."