Tue Oct 21 14:33:32 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summary based on the provided text:
The Hindu: Road Widening Project Sparks Tree-Cutting Debate in Coastal Karnataka
MANGALURU, October 21, 2025 – A public hearing is scheduled for November 10th to discuss the proposed cutting of 628 trees to facilitate the widening of the Ujire-Dharmasthala-Periyashanthi Road in Dakshina Kannada district. The National Highways Division of the Public Works Department (PWD) is undertaking the project, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce travel distance on the 30 km stretch.
The hearing, mandated by the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, will be held at the Belthangady Inspection Bungalow at 11 a.m. Concerns and objections regarding the tree removal can be submitted in writing at the hearing or to the Deputy Conservator of Forest in Mangaluru. Of the trees slated for removal, 222 are located on non-forest government land, and 406 on non-forest land.
The ₹613 crore project, the first of its kind in the region to be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), aims to upgrade the Ujire-Dharmasthala segment to four lanes, while the Dharmasthala-Periyashanthi section will be widened to a two-lane road with paved shoulders. PWD officials state that the upgrade will reduce the distance from Ujire to Periyashanthi by 1.5 km. The road is a vital link to National Highway 75 and carries a high volume of tourist traffic. The project will be paid in two stages, with the first being 40% of the construction cost provided as support from the government, and the remaining 60% being paid over time in annuity payments, plus the concessionaire interest.
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