Chamundi Hill Road widening faces hurdle

At a time when BJP MLC G Madhusudan and Minister S A Ramdas have locked horns over a dubious land conversion order on the foot of the Chamundi Hills, a road widening project mooted by the Minister may face hurdles from greens.

Favouring Ramdas’s proposal, the Forest Department is likely to give concurrence to widen the Chamundi Hill Road, following recommendations by the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF). Earlier, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) had turned down the proposal, saying human intrusion would affect rich flora, fauna and wildlife.

However, the PWD which got approval from the technical committee to widen the 1.5 km stretch from Nandi Circle to Mahishasura Statue atop the hill and make it four-lane, is all set to implement the project after clearance from the Forest Department. The total width of the existing road is 12 to 15 metres and it will be extended by five metres downhill.

It has prepared a report, claiming that `4 crore is needed to implement it. The area of the reserve forest to be destroyed for the work is 0.754 hectares.

Sources said that DCF Gaonkar D S recommended a study to assess the damage first. “More than 191 trees of 18 varieties will face the axe, besides a large amount of flora, fauna and wildlife will be affected. As the area is uni­que with its ecology and wild animals, it should be studied in detail,” sources said.

There will be three entry points to the hill and tourists and devotees can use mass transport facility during ashada masa and on other special occasions, said sources. But CCF Markandeya K B said: “I cannot make it public as the matter is serious. The MoEF will decide.”

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