After Flyover, Now A Tunnel Road Proposed Via Bandipur
The tunnel proposal came from the Union Minister to address woes of transporters especially from Kerala for 24x7 vehicular movement. The NH-766 links Gundlupet of Chamarajnagar with Kerala via Bandipur Tiger Reserve and vehicular movement has been banned by Karnataka government from dusk to dawn (6 pm to 6 am) to avert road kills of wild animals.
BENGALURU: A couple of years flyover construction in Maddur and Moolehole ranges of Bandipur Tiger Reserve was proposed a couple of years back which met with opposition from wildlife lovers, now, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is considering a tunnel road on National Highway 766 in these two ranges to facilitate round the clock transport between Karnataka and Kerala.
The tunnel proposal came from the Union Minister to address woes of transporters especially from Kerala for 24x7 vehicular movement. The NH-766 links Gundlupet of Chamarajnagar with Kerala via Bandipur Tiger Reserve and vehicular movement has been banned by Karnataka government from dusk to dawn (6 pm to 6 am) to avert road kills of wild animals.
In a letter to Priyanka Gandhi, Lok Sabha member representing Wayanad parliamentary seat in Kerala, Gadikari proposed the construction of a tunnel road via Bandipur to make way for unhindered vehicular movement between the two States.
However, the proposal met with stiff opposition from wildlife lovers, environmentalists and farmers in Karnataka. Journalist and wildlife activist Joseph Hoover stated “It is a drama (road tunnel proposal) in the wake of Kerala Assembly elections are round the corner and the proposal is a trick to woo voters.”
Instead of proposing a tunnel road, Hoover wanted the Union Minister Gadikari to get hospitals constructed, schools and colleges and public transport and basic amenities but not to try to cause destruction to the environment in Bandipur, a critical tiger habitat.
A wildlife photographer of Gundlupet R.K. Madhu opposed the road tunnel construction considering it a threat to the wildlife and stated a tunnel boring machine is massive in size and consumes huge amounts of power and water at time of construction. Besides, causing sound pollution to disturb the wildlife in Bandipur.
“A Tunnel road requires ventilation and installation of exhaust fans which all are a threat to the environment,” said the wildlife photographer. Madhu expressed fears a tunnel road will affect water flow to Bandipur and stated River Moolehole dries up in summer every year besides River Kapila will have reduced water flow which could pose a risk for the wild animals.
Many farmers’ leaders-Honnur Prakash, Madrahalli Mahadevappa, Nagarjun Kumar have objected to the proposal.
