Karnataka rejects Kerala\'s plan for Kanhangad-Kaniyur rail line

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has told his Kerala counterpart that development works cannot be taken up in ecologically sensitive areas and wildlife sanctuaries.

Bommai was speaking to reporters after meeting Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Bengaluru on Sunday.

“The Kerala CM has come here to hold bilateral talks as decided in the Southern Region Council meeting. The Government of Kerala sought co-operation for its various railway projects including Kanhangad-Kaniyur Rail Line route, and other highway projects,” the CM said.

“The proposed Kanhangad-Kaniyur rail line project has a 40 km route in Kerala and 31 km in Karnataka. But this project is not very beneficial for Karnataka. Also, the route proposes to pass through the rich bio-diversity and ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats. So, the Kerala CM was told that Karnataka couldn't extend cooperation for this project,” he added.

Bommai said Pinarayi Vijayan also discussed the Tellicherry-Mysuru railway line.
“We told him that the permission cannot be granted for the project as the proposed rail route will traverse through Bandipur-Nagarhole National Parks and will cause great damage to flora and fauna,” the CM said.

The Karnataka government also rejected the Kerala CM’s proposal for the construction of an underground rail route as it would damage the environment during the construction activities.

“At present two buses are operating between Kerala and Karnataka during the night via Bandipur National Highway. Though the Kerala CM sought permission to allow four buses, we have rejected that,” Bommai added.