Karnataka: Ministry seeks report after NGO flags violations in NH 169 widening
Bengaluru: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has directed the Karnataka state government to investigate allegations of legal violations in the widening of National Highway 169 (NH 169), which passes through the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.
The complaint, filed by Shivamogga-based NGO Green Lives, claims that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) misled the forest department by asserting that no wildlife sanctuary or ESZ falls within the highway’s widening alignment. However, according to the ESZ notification for Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately a 4-kilometer stretch of the highway lies within the ESZ, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
In February, the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) in Shivamogga inspected the site and reported that the road widening between chainage 15.98 km and 26.69 km involves the use of both forest and non-forest areas. The stretch from 26.7 km to 30.75 km inside the ESZ involves only resurfacing of the road.
The NGO alleges that NHAI started work without applying for permission from ESZ monitoring committee. They said while the DCF report said the NHAI was “resurfacing” the road, the before and after photos show soil excavation of “thousands of loads” for road strengthening, the report added.
“The user agency has expressly admitted that work was undertaken within the ESZ. Despite this clear admission, the committee proceeded to accept the road widening proposal and granted permission with certain conditions - conditions that have already been violated,” it said.
Responding to these concerns, Kudremukh Wildlife Division DCF Sivaram Babu said the decisions were taken as per the rule. “Decisions in this matter were taken by the monitoring committee headed by the regional commissioner,” DH quoted Babu as saying.
Meanwhile, the NGO has urged the Union ministry to reject the NHAI’s road widening proposal.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
FM proposes to reduce TCS rates for education, medical purposes
New Delhi: Presenting the Union Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced relief measures aimed at easing the financial burden on families and streamlining the tax framework.
She proposed reducing the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on foreign remittances for education and medical purposes from 5 per cent to 2 per cent, a move expected to benefit students studying abroad and those seeking overseas medical treatment.
The finance minister also announced that the new Income Tax Act will come into effect from April 1, 2026, marking a major overhaul of the country’s direct tax system.
