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.
Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
