MP seeks chief secy’s intervention into devpt of Shiradi Ghat NH

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said he held discussions with Karnataka state chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh regarding the development of road and rail routes on Shiradi Ghat connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
Capt Chowta stated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Indian Railways were urged to jointly prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and take necessary steps for the remaining infrastructure development in Dakshina Kannada.
During the meeting at the chief secretary's office in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, the MP discussed the ongoing DPR preparation process for the improvement of the highway and railway line in the Shiradi Ghat, which is a key connection between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. The MP sought the intervention of the chief secretary to facilitate the preparation of an integrated DPR by both agencies.
The NHAI is moving forward with the DPR preparation for the construction of an additional dual carriageway on the existing road in the Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway-75, a major link from the capital Bengaluru to the coastal cities. Additionally, the railway department is also preparing a DPR for a separate railway route on Shiradi Ghat, the MP said.
"Since Shiradi is recognised as a sensitive ecological zone in the Western Ghats, both departments coordinating to prepare the DPR can help minimise environmental impact. Moreover, a coordinated plan will make it easier to obtain departmental approvals, and more importantly, facilitate obtaining permission from the forest department," the MP highlighted during the discussion.
Upgrading the Shiradi Ghat highway is crucial for the development of Mangaluru port and the coastal region. Similarly, increasing railway connectivity to the coastal area requires enhancing railway infrastructure in the Shiradi Ghat region. If both rail and road routes are developed together, it will significantly boost commercial activities in Mangaluru, and make freight transport more efficient. Therefore, preparing an integrated DPR for road and railway development in the Shiradi Ghat will be highly beneficial, the MP noted, adding that he discussed this matter with Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and the secretaries of the ministry of road transport and highways on an earlier occasion.