Centre sets up joint expert panel to study Shiradi Ghat tunnel connectivity project
Mangaluru (PTI): The Centre has constituted a joint expert committee to examine integrated highway and railway connectivity between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, including the proposed Shiradi Ghat tunnel corridor, according to Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta.
The committee, comprising specialists from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Indian Railways, will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) covering technical feasibility, environmental implications, construction challenges and cost requirements, officials said.
The decision follows a request made by Chowta seeking coordinated evaluation rather than separate studies by road and railway departments.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, in a communication to the MP, confirmed the committee's mandate to assess the viability and benefits of a tunnel system along the Shiradi Ghat stretch.
The Shiradi Ghat route is a major lifeline linking coastal Karnataka with the state's capital and hinterland. However, the corridor has been vulnerable to recurring landslides, road closures and prolonged travel disruptions, particularly during the monsoon.
Officials said the proposed tunnel aims to enhance travel reliability, reduce transportation time and boost commercial movement between the coast and the interior region.
Chowta said the integrated approach is expected to improve coordination, reduce duplication of work and enable quicker decision-making.
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Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket after tragedy, say police
Panaji (PTI): Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, fled to Phuket hours after the tragedy, Goa Police said on Monday.
"Goa Police have taken further steps to coordinate with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest," a senior police officer said.
A massive fire at the nightclub, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji, on late Saturday night killed 25 persons. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Five injured people were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
After registering an FIR against them, a Look Out Circular was issued against them by December 7 by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the request of the Goa Police.
The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai was contacted, and it was found that both the accused had taken the 6E 1073 flight to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, immediately after the fire incident, which occurred around midnight, the officer said.
READ ALSO: Goa nightclub fire: Owner Saurabh Luthra expresses grief, assures management support
He said the Goa Police had immediately dispatched a team to Delhi to conduct raids on the addresses of the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.
"Since they were not available, a notice under the appropriate sections of law was pasted on the gate of their house. This shows their intent to avoid the police investigation", he said.
Goa Police have obtained transit remand of Bharat Kohli, an employee of the club, and are bringing him to Goa.
He also said that the postmortem on all 25 deceased has been completed and bodies handed over to their families.
