Karwar: An important meeting regarding the implementation of the Ankola-Hubballi Railway Project, which is one of the important projects for Uttara Kannada District, was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the presence of Central Railway Planning Committee.
Railway Planning Committee of the Centre has expressed the opinion that it is necessary to start the railway work for the development of the District and this is also the long-standing demand of the people of the district.
During the discussion on the demand for Hubballi-Ankola train held in the Court Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the officials of the Central Railway Planning Committee came to the above opinion.
The pros and cons of the Railway Project were discussed in the meeting. A huge amount of forest will be destroyed due to the Railway Project. There is a fear of displacement of habitat of wild animals. Deforestation can cause shortage of water distribution due to change in the direction of rain water flow during rainy season. The idea that this scheme is ineffective in hilly areas was debated too.
Central Railway Planning Committee officials spoke about the Project and said that this Project is a good Project from the development point of view of the District. People of the District welcome this Project as it saves time and traffic. He said that due to development, a decision should be made by agreeing to some changes. Since this is a multi-crore Project, it can be seen as a complementary development for the overall development of the District. Necessary agendas should be adopted in disaster management. A large amount of forest destruction can be prevented by maintaining tunnels and railway crossings at regular intervals while making the railway line. Necessary alternative system should be provided along the route to facilitate movement of animals and prevent loss of life of animals. In addition to the Project route, road connectivity, water and electricity connectivity should be designed. He said that a plan should be made to implement the Railway Project in an all-season manner.
In this meeting, Railway Planning Committee officers Dr. H. S. Singh, Indian Forest Service representative Vijayakumar, Indian Forest Service DIG Rakesh, Dr. Rajendra Kumar, Dr.T.N. Manohar, Prof. Nagesh, Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan M., Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju Mogaveera, Forest Officer of Karwar Division Raghavendra Naoka and other officers and staff were present.
