Karnataka Wildlife Board Clears NH-75 and Sharavathi Road Projects for National Approval

In a key step towards boosting Karnataka’s road infrastructure, the State Wildlife Board’s Standing Committee has approved two major project proposals, the greenfield National Highway 75 (NH-75) between Kushalnagar and Mysuru, and the Public Works Department’s (PWD) Sharavathi road widening project. Both projects involve eco-sensitive regions and will now be placed before the National Board for Wildlife for final approval.

The NH-75 project, executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), will cover approximately 100 kilometres and connect Kushalnagar in Kodagu district to Mysuru. The project aims to enhance connectivity and reduce travel time between key economic zones in southern Karnataka. According to official documents, the NHAI has sought nearly 54 hectares of land within the eco-sensitive zones surrounding the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary and the buffer area of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.

Officials said the proposal underwent extensive scrutiny before receiving the state-level clearance. The committee, chaired by Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, assessed the environmental implications of both projects. “The proposals have been carefully reviewed to balance development needs with ecological preservation,” an official source confirmed.

In addition to the NH-75 project, the board also approved the PWD’s proposal to widen the existing road leading to the Sharavathi Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary. This initiative aims to improve accessibility for residents living within the forested areas while maintaining ecological safeguards. The Sharavathi works are reportedly part of a larger pumped storage project planned in the region.

With state-level approval secured, the next phase involves scrutiny by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife. Once cleared, these projects are expected to accelerate connectivity while adhering to environmental norms, marking another milestone in Karnataka’s infrastructure development journey.