NewsKarnataka-Bangalore
Bangalore:Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy met with state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to press once again for the re-opening of the highway that cuts through Bandipur National Park.
However the government pleaded helplessness citing high court directives. Siddaramaiah said after a two hour meeting, that he was keen on opening an alternative road connection for night travellers between Karnataka and Kerala.
Setting the project cost at an estimated Rs 48 crore, Siddaramaiah said officials from both the states would monitor the progress of the project.
Chandy said the Kerala government would appeal before the Supreme Court for opening of the road and would appraise the union government over the problem, particularly the ministry of environment and forests.
The two governments are exploring four alternative routes: Mysore-Hunsur – Gonikoppa – Kutta, Mysore -Bavali – Mananthawadi-Sultan-Batheri, Mysore-Virajpet-Kannur, Mysore-Bylukuppe-Virajpet-Kannur.
The meeting failed to discuss two controversial subjects- a bail petition for Madani and high tension wires between Karnataka and Kerala through Kodagu. Siddaramaiah said that the two issues did not crop up during the meeting.