| Meeting with Prime Minister to discuss environmental nod for railway projects by RailXpert on 09 September, 2012 - 09:01 AM | ||
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 RailXpert | Meeting with Prime Minister to discuss environmental nod for railway projects on 09 September, 2012 - 09:01 AM | |
Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa has said a meeting would be held soon with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the issue of getting clearances from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the proposed Talaguppa-Honnavar and Hubli-Ankola railway line projects. Speaking after inaugurating the extended train services at the Shimoga railway station on Saturday, Mr. Muniyappa said that Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and MPs from the State would also take part in the proposed meeting with the Prime Minister.The Talaguppa-Honnavar railway project can be implemented only if State government agrees to share two-thirds of the project cost. The ongoing railway projects in the State are being implemented on cost-sharing basis. The Government of Karnataka has contributed 50 per cent of the cost for the ongoing projects, he said.The Minister said the Ministry of Environment and Forests is reluctant to grant permission for the proposed Talaguppa-Honnavar railway line fearing destruction of forests.However, it can be avoided if the railway line is laid underground. According to preliminary assessment, 60 km underground tunnels need to be constructed for the project estimated to cost around Rs. 3,000 crore.Mr. Muniyappa directed the officials of the Department of Railways to submit a report on the survey and the estimate for the project in four months.On the Shimoga-Shikaripur-Ranibennur railway line, he asked the officials to complete the ongoing survey in three months and submit a report in this regard to the Railway Board. He said that funds will be allocated for this project in the Railway Budget for 2013-14.He said that the ongoing survey work on Shimoga-Harihar railway project will be completed by October. | ||