RAICHUR: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for a fresh economic corridor to connect Mangaluru and Raichur districts in Karnataka. This is part of Central government’s much-touted Bharat Mala project. For this new project, the NHAI has to carve out almost 15 km that falls in the belt of Western Ghats, a highly eco-sensitive stretch with thick forest and fairly high rainfall. Project director Somashekar said the authority needs at least 60 hectares of land of Western Ghats that comes between Mudigere and Nelyadi.
Apart from 60 hectares, there are small pieces of lands established as estates. There is an estate owned by private owners. The proposed economic corridor by the Central government between Mangaluru and Raichur is Mangaluru-Chitradurga-Ballari-Raichur. The project director who is in charge between Chitradurga and Mangaluru, said, “The focus at present is taking clearance from forest and environment ministry to carve out 15 km in which some portion comes under Western Ghats.”Near Mudigere, there is a small temple named Bhireshwara and near Nelyadi, there is another shrine named Shishileshwara. These are the two points which connects Mudigere and Nellyadi and the DPR is being prepared for the same.
This entire identified route between Bhaireshwara and Shishileshwara to lay new six-lane road is almost 15 km. And 15 km in which some portion comes under Western Ghat, requires 60 hectares of forest land.
And for the rest of the portion that forms 15 km including Western Ghats, acquisition of estate owned by Kordes and other private owners is required. This stretch between Mudigere to Nellyadi will be six lane. From Nelyadi, the road has been updated to national highway standards via Bantwal to Mangaluru, he said.