Date:19/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/19/stories/2006011906890500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Cable-car proposal yet to be finalised'

Staff Reporter

HIGH COURTROUND-UP PIL petition filed by NGO opposing the project disposed of

BANGALORE: The State Government on Wednesday told the Karnataka High Court that the proposal to install a cable-car and ropeway at Vindyagiri Hills at Shravanabelagola in Hassan district has not been finalised.

It said that Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has not yet given its opinion or permission for the project.

The State was making clear its stand on the project when a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by Prerna Foundation of Vijayanagar in Bangalore opposing the project came up for hearing.

The petitioner said that it is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and that a petition was filed as it is concerned about the safety and security of pilgrims and tourists who will use the cable-car.

The NGO, represented by its secretary, Venkatesh Gowda, said the Mahamasthabisheka of Lord Bahubali will start on February 8 and lakhs of pilgrims and visitors will come to take part in the celebrations.

It said the State had proposed to provide a cable-car service for VIPs visiting the hill. It said during the 1970s there was a proposal to provide cable-car services and a rope bridge, but both the projects were dropped after members of the Jain community opposed it and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said the projects could affect the monument.

On May 19 last, the Government called for tenders to construct the cable-car project to Vindyagiri Hills. But, on November 7 last, it issued a revised tender superseding certain pre-qualifications in the earlier one.

Although the ASI opposed the project, the Government said it is only a temporary project and sought its nod.

The ASI wanted to get world heritage status for the monument. but due to persistent pressure from the State, it appears to have given a green signal for the project, the NGO said. Whether the cable-car is temporary or not, the project has to be implemented observing safety and security measures. This, the NGO said, could not be done in the six weeks' time that is left for the Mahamasthabisheka to begin.

The NGO said the ASI has opposed the current project too, saying it will prove disastrous. A report to this effect has been submitted by the ASI.

The State said the project is yet to take off. Hence, the petition is premature and liable to be dismissed. A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice, Cyriac Joseph, and Justice B. Padmaraj agreed with the State's stand that the petition is premature and disposed it of, giving liberty to the petitioner to approach the court again if the project is taken up.

Order to issue notices

Justice S. Abdul Naseer on Wednesday ordered issue of notices to the Education Department, Pre-University Board and Department of Public Instruction on a petition by Expert Tutorials and 18 others challenging Section 35 of the Education Act and the rules regulating their activities. The tutorials have challenged Karnataka Tutorials Institutes (Registration and Regulation) Rules 2001.