Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Oct 28: The Centre has sought fresh clarifications on the proposed Rs 343.74-crore widening of the Charmadi Ghat road, questioning the diversion of 39 acres of forest land, the felling of 7,540 trees and the risk of landslides along the Western Ghats stretch, where around 45 landslides have reportedly been recorded following earlier road works.

The queries have put the 11-km highway expansion under scrutiny, with concerns over wildlife movement, forest loss and slope stability emerging as key hurdles to the project's progress.

The proposed widening of the Charmadi Ghat road, a section of the Mangaluru–Villupuram National Highway, is intended to improve traffic flow, ease congestion and enhance safety along a stretch known for its narrow carriageway and sharp bends.

However, the scale of forest diversion and the potential consequences for the region's fragile ecosystem have raised questions about whether the project can proceed without significant environmental safeguards.

Estimated to cost Rs 343.74 crore, the project envisages widening approximately 11 km of the ghat road. While the improvements are expected to make travel safer and smoother, the Centre's queries have introduced uncertainty over the next stage of implementation, with the authorities required to provide detailed explanations and supporting documents before the approval process can advance.

39 acres of forest land and 7,540 trees under scrutiny

At the heart of the controversy is the proposal to divert 39 acres of forest land and fell 7,540 trees for the road-widening work. The Centre has sought details on the environmental impact of the proposed tree felling and the consequences of using forest land for the project.

Particular concern surrounds the tiger corridor connecting the Kudremukh and Pushpagiri forest regions, where changes to the landscape could affect wildlife movement. The potential impact on animal habitats and the continuity of wildlife corridors will therefore be important considerations in assessing the proposal.

The authorities have been asked to provide comprehensive information on the wildlife clearance process, the conditions governing the use of forest land and the wider ecological consequences of the proposed expansion.

Located in the environmentally sensitive Western Ghats, the Charmadi Ghat stretch presents a difficult challenge: improving a crucial road link while protecting forests and wildlife in a region of considerable ecological importance.

The additional information sought by the Centre has added another layer of scrutiny to the project, with the department expected to address the environmental concerns before the approval process can advance.

45 landslides raise fresh questions over road safety

Beyond the impact on forests and wildlife, the history of landslides along the Charmadi Ghat has emerged as another major concern.

Referring to approximately 45 landslides reportedly recorded following earlier road works, questions have been raised about whether the proposed widening could increase the vulnerability of the already fragile hill slopes.

The authorities must clarify whether adequate geological investigations have been carried out to establish the stability of the terrain and assess the risks associated with construction in the mountainous region.

The assessment is expected to cover the geological structure of the area, soil stability, rainwater flow and the safety of slopes along the proposed stretch.

The impact of cutting into hillsides, removing soil and altering existing drainage systems will also require careful scientific evaluation. Such interventions, if not properly planned and executed, could have consequences for slope stability and the likelihood of future landslides, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

The concerns have placed the safety of the proposed engineering interventions under the spotlight. A clear assessment of the terrain and the effectiveness of measures to manage drainage and slope instability will be crucial to determining whether the project can proceed safely.

Environmentalists call for caution in the Western Ghats

Environmentalists have stressed that ecological protection must remain a priority while undertaking infrastructure development in the Charmadi Ghat region.

They have opposed proceeding with the project without a comprehensive assessment of the consequences of tree felling, the destruction or fragmentation of wildlife habitats and the potential increase in landslide risks.

The concerns reflect the wider challenge of undertaking major infrastructure projects in the Western Ghats, where road improvements must be weighed against the potential impact on forests, biodiversity and the stability of the landscape.

While the proposed widening is expected to improve traffic movement and enhance safety at dangerous bends, environmentalists have called for the risks to be thoroughly examined before construction moves ahead.

The competing priorities have left the authorities with the difficult task of demonstrating that the proposed development is necessary and can be implemented with appropriate safeguards for the region's fragile environment.

Road department prepares its response

The National Highways Department is preparing to submit the necessary clarifications and supporting documents in response to the Centre's queries, according to the report.

The department is expected to explain the need for the widening project, the existing condition of the road, the traffic safety issues that need to be addressed and the broader significance of the proposed improvements.

The adequacy of these explanations, along with the environmental assessments and any modifications made to the proposal, could prove decisive in determining the project's future.

K T Chandrashekar, executive engineer of the National Highways Department in Dakshina Kannada, said the department had reviewed the issues raised by the Centre and was preparing its response.

"Clarifications and supplementary information have been sought in connection with the proposal submitted to the Centre. In this regard, the department has undertaken the necessary review. Responses to the questions raised by the Centre will be prepared and submitted," he said.

"Steps will also be taken to submit a report explaining the necessity of the Charmadi Ghat road-widening project, the present condition of the road, traffic safety and the importance of the project,"  Chandrashekar said.

"Efforts will be made to facilitate the further approval process by providing the required documents and supplementary information," he added.

Project's future hinges on environmental and safety clearances

The proposed Charmadi Ghat widening has become a test of how infrastructure development can be balanced with environmental protection in one of the country's most ecologically sensitive mountain regions.

With 39 acres of forest land, 7,540 trees and concerns over approximately 45 landslides forming part of the scrutiny, the project faces questions that go beyond road engineering and traffic management.

The widening is intended to improve connectivity and make travel through the ghat safer and more efficient. However, the authorities will have to address concerns over forest diversion, wildlife movement, slope stability and drainage before the proposal can move forward.

The department's response to the Centre's queries, the findings of the relevant environmental and geological assessments and any changes proposed to minimise the project's impact will be critical to the next stage.

Whether the Centre grants the necessary approvals after receiving the clarifications or seeks substantial changes to the project remains to be seen. For now, the fate of the proposed road expansion hinges on the department's ability to demonstrate that the need for safer roads can be reconciled with the protection of the Western Ghats' forests, wildlife and fragile terrain.