News Brief
Western Ghats of Karnataka (Anand, Wikimedia Commons)
The proposed cable car project connecting Kollur to Kodachadri in Karnataka has hit a significant roadblock due to a prolonged delay in obtaining clearance from the Forest Department, The New Indian Express reported.
Nearly five years after the proposal first surfaced and sparked discussions among locals and environmental groups, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways granted approval for the project under the Parvatmala scheme.
The initiative, with an estimated investment of Rs 380 crore, is set to mark Karnataka’s inaugural ropeway venture, promising to boost tourism and enhance accessibility to the hilly terrain.
National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), which signed an agreement with the Karnataka State Tourism Department, has already completed the detailed project report (DPR) after a thorough site evaluation by an expert team.
However, further work has been impeded as the obligatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the forest department remains pending.
With approvals in place from central authorities, the focus now rests on the Forest Department’s clearance.
Once received, construction can commence, paving the way for what is expected to become one of Karnataka’s most iconic tourist experiences.