H.C.NANDISH Vs. MINISTRY OF INDIAN RAILWAYS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of the present public interest litigation, the petitioners who are the residents of Sakleshpura Taluk, Hassan District pray for quashing of GO No.IDD 95 NSW 2018, Bengaluru dtd. 17/1/2019 issued by the Government of Karnataka vide Annexure-C. They have also sought a direction to the respondents to implement the laying of Railway line between Belur and Sakaleshpura as per GO No.IDD 146 NSW 2013, Bengaluru dtd. 3/3/2014 vide Annexure-D. As the Government Order dtd. 17/1/2019 vide Annexure-C is called in question in this petition, we are referring to the said Government Order.

(2.) A perusal of the Government Order dtd. 17/1/2019 shows that on a comparative study, the State Government was of the opinion that the cost of the proposed project namely, Belur- Sakaleshpura Railway Line had exceeded enormously and it would not be feasible to continue with the said project and as such, Belur-Sakaleshpura Railway line stretch was dropped.

(3.) Statement of objections has been filed on behalf of respondent No.2 -Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development Department, Government of Karnataka. It would be necessary to refer to certain factual aspects stated in the statement of objections at paragraphs 4, 5, 6 and 7.