Karnataka rejects Kerala suggestions at Pinarayi Vijayan-Basavaraj Bommai meeting

In Sunday’s meeting, Vijayan sought Karnataka’s cooperation in initiating the construction of the Kanhangad-Kaniyur rail line. The proposed project has a 40-km route in Kerala and 31 km in Karnataka.

Bommai informed Vijayan that the project was not beneficial for Karnataka and would cause enormous financial liability. Karnataka has also pointed out that the proposed line would pass through biodiversity-rich and ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats.

The Karnataka chief minister told reporters later that he told Vijayan Karnataka couldn’t associate itself with this project.

In the case of the long-pending Thalassery-Mysuru rail line project, Karnataka raised strong objections pointing out that if implemented, it would have to pass through the Bandipur and Nagarhole national parks. Karnataka said it would cause significant damage to flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats.

Karnataka has also objected to the proposed construction of an underground rail route through Bandipur and Wayanad, saying it would also cause irreparable environmental damage during the construction phase.

In the case of the night bus operation from Mysore and Bangalore to Kerala via Bandipur, Bommai pointed out that both states operate a dozen buses at night despite the night travel ban, and the number can’t be changed arbitrarily.

As Kerala had already backtracked from its earlier decision on the possibility of extending its controversial Silverline Project to Mangaluru in Karnataka, no discussion was held. Kerala government sources said the issue would be raised after a detailed project report was prepared.

Meanwhile, Wayanad-based environmental activist N Badusha congratulated the Karnataka chief minister for taking a stand that would protect fragile ecologies of portions of the Western Ghats in both states.