Why in the News?
The Supreme Court refused to interfere with environmental clearance granted to the Kozhikode Wayanad twin tube tunnel project in Kerala’s Western Ghats.
Supreme Court Observation
- Project appears of national importance
- Kerala faces:
- Land scarcity
- Road congestion
- Transport bottlenecks
- Court noted:
- Tunnels common worldwide
- Experts will handle safety concerns
About Kozhikode Wayanad Tunnel Project
- Twin tube tunnel corridor
- Connects:
- Kozhikode district
- Wayanad district
- Located in Western Ghats
- Landslide prone region
Concerns Raised
Petitioner NGO argued:
- Near Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Ecologically fragile Western Ghats
- Landslide prone area
- Risk from blasting and vibrations
- Should receive Category A environmental clearance
| [2016] ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of Western Ghats |
