Experts’ panel finds major flaws in Hubballi-Ankola rly line plan
A seven-member central experts’ committee constituted by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to look into the proposed Hubballi-Ankola railway line (HARL) has “found gaps/discrepancies and shortcomings in the project proposal” and has recommended that “the proposal in the present form should not be considered.”
The report obtained by DH under RTI says the project will result in the cutting of more trees than the stated 2.2 lakh trees and affect the hydrological system of rivers in the region.
Ten committees have been formed between 2002 and 2022 by courts, union and state governments to assess the proposed railway project, which will pass through 595.64 ha of fragile forests of Western Ghats in the Karwar, Yellapur and Dharwad forest divisions.
