Hubli-Ankola railway line in a limbo

Hubli-Ankola railway line in a limbo

TNN 29 December 2009, 10:27pm IST

HUBLI: The state government will have to provide a very strong argument in favour of building the Hubli-Ankola railway link if it wants the Union forest ministry to clear the project, a senior forest officer said here on Monday.

Dr P B Gangopadhyaya, additional director general of forests, who headed a team that inspected forest areas meant to be cleared for building the railway line, told MP Prahlad Joshi that the forest ministry was open-minded about the project.

"All these years, it has been straight and simple. The project was not cleared as it would damage trees and wildlife in one of the most pristine ecosystems in the country," Gangopadhyaya said.

According to him, the state government and the railways' only argument was that it would help carry iron ore to the Tadadi, Bilikere and Karwar ports. But this was not convincing as market fluctuations can push down the demand for ore in international markets.

"However, if the state government makes other, stronger arguments like it'll help developing backward areas in the state, then the ministry of environment and forests and the Supreme Court centrally empowered committee that are looking into the issue would take a balanced view of the issue, he said.

He welcomed Joshi's idea that building a railway line and diverting traffic and freight transport on to the line would cause less environment damage than doubling national highways in Karwar district. He asked state government and railway officials to record these facts in an affidavit before the apex court and back them by supporting documents.

The project was planned a decade ago. However, it was rejected by the forest ministry four times in the past. Later in 2007, environmentalists challenged the project, saying it would destroy large-green patches in the western ghats, one of the bio-diversity hotspots in the world.

The SC has now referred the matter to a centrally-empowered committee. The CEC is supposed to inspect the project very soon.

Preparations on for investors meet: Nirani

Preparations on for investors meet: Nirani

Express News Service 28 Dec 2009 11:28:56 AM IST

HUBLI: Major and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said that preparations are on for the two-day global investors meet scheduled from June 3 in Banglaore.

He told reporters here on Sunday that the Vision Group, led by Infosys CEO Kris Gopalkrishanan, was taking all aspects in global industrial scene and investment environment into account while preparing for the meet. He said his ministry was planning to acquire 50,000 acres of dry and nonagricultural land to develop industrial layouts with infrastructure.

These layouts would also comprise residential townships with all amenities including schools and markets, he added. Encouraged by the success of industrial adalats held in all five divisions this year, the ministry is planning to organise such adalats again next year between January 5 and 30. Already, 80 per cent of individual and sector-related grievances have been resolved. Holding such adalats again may help in resolving the complaints fully. The adalats would be held at district level after February, he added.

Nirani said that out 52 proposals of setting up special economic zones (SEZ) in the state, the Centre has given approval for 24.

Mamata launches three intercity Express trains

Mamata launches three intercity Express trains

TNN 9 December 2009, 02:43am IST

BANGALORE: Railway minister Mamata Banerjee brought a bagful of gifts for

Karnataka's passengers.

On Tuesday, she flagged off three major intercity expresses here -- Bangalore-Shimoga Intercity Express, Yeshwantpur-Mysore Express and Yeshwantpur-Solapur Golgumbaz Tri-weekly Express. She inaugurated the renovated Tumkur and Dharmapuri stations and introduced the solid-state interlocking system at Bangalore City station.

And the icing on the cake was a surprise -- a Duronto (non-stop superfast express) from Bangalore to Howrah to be introduced soon.

Promises galore

During the holiday season, 2,872 special trains will be introduced for students to go home and 4,326 additional coaches to manage the holiday rush.

She announced four extensions for towns not connected properly. Bangalore - Hubli Intercity Express will go to Dharwad, Tirupati-Mysore Express will connect Chamarajanagar and will be announced shortly, Yeshwantpur-Mangalore Express will connect Kannur and Mumbai-Karwar, a Konkan railway train, will connect Mangalore.

Mamata, seemingly impressed by the scenic beauty of Karnataka, said "Bangalore is the air-conditioned city, very environment friendly and clean. I like Bangalore very much and am delighted to be here." Mamata said three new trains which were part of the budget have been announced, but three to four more are still left to be implemented. About 21 stations are currently being developed by South Western Railway. These include Hubli, Yelahanka, Hindupur, Hassan, Tiptur, Vasco da Gama, Belgaum, Dharwad and Ranebennur.

"We have a responsibility towards students. They should go home during their holidays, which are as short as 15 days. All the 2,872 trains are especially for them and will reduce the holiday rush," she added. Karnataka shares the maximum cost for speedy completion of projects, which sometimes goes up to 75% of the project budget, and appreciated the state for this.

Automobile hub

The Automobile Hub Association proposed 10 automobile hubs in the country, one of them already launched in Howrah on railway land. "Nine more will be built on railway land. Two can be in Bangalore and Mangalore. They have agreed to this," said Mamata.

PPP model

"The port, the coal belt and the industrial belt need to be connected. It is helpful for the masses and the industry," Mamata said. Karnataka will do a feasibility study and submit the proposal by January 2010, according to chief minister, B S Yedyurappa who was present at the event.

Mamata said that she was open to rail connectivity between Kolkata and Bangladesh because as neighbours they are close and have many similarities. However, the proposal needs to be developed and scrutinized.