Mangaluru : Activists of Sahyadri Sanchaya, have expressed fear that the proposed highway tunnel project at Shiradi Ghat in the Western Ghats could damage the environment and ecology.

Dinesh Holla, convener of the sanchaya, said that the government has already taken up the Yettinahole diversion project in the ghats damaging the ecology and environment. It has proposed to build eight weirs on the six tributaries of the Netravathi. They are Hongada Hole, Keri Hole, Yettinha Hole, Yettina Halla, Hakki Hole and Kadumane Hole. Weirs would come up in a 60-km distance between Haravana Halli and Hiridana Halli. Water from weirs will be lifted to Dodda Nagara in Haravana Halli and stored there for distribution to the parched districts.

If the tunnel passed under the dams and close to it, it would hit water sources, the ecology and environment. So far there is no clarity how the tunnel would pass through. But it would have to pass through Yettinahole project area. Laying of fuel pipelines and railway line has already damaged the ghats.

According to Shashidhar Shetty, an activist of the sanchaya, after the Konkan railway line was laid, the tunnels along the line have resulted in depletion of groundwater table. Water in some wells depleted forcing the people to depend on tap water supply.