Hubballi: Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has hailed the conditional nod given to Hubballi-Ankola new railway line project by the Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of the Union Environment and Forest Ministry.

It requested the agencies concered to take steps to implement the long-pending project as soon as possible.

KCCI president Ramesh Patil said, after the National Green Tribunal’s nod, the project has cleared another hurdle in the form of getting environment clearance by the Environment and Forest Ministry. Since the project is decades-old demand of the region, the recent developments are given much hope for the people.

Since the dense forest come in the project area in Dharwad, Yellapur and Karwar forest ranges, the state government should come up with a plan for compensatory afforestation. so that the project could be taken up at the earliest. Despite a lot apprehensions over felling of lakhs of trees, the REC has given its nod for the project. Hence, all the condition laid down by the committee should be obeyed, Patil said.

In view of getting clearance for Hubballi-Ankola new railway line, the state government should immediately take up development and upgradation of all the ports on the west coast line of Karnataka. As the new railway line connects the hinterland of north Karnataka, developing of ports will help boost export of ore, metal, foodgrains, fruits, horticulture products and other commodities produced abundantly here, he further added.