<p>The bilateral talks between Basavaraj Bommai and Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, respectively, in Bengaluru, ended in a deadlock after the former refused to grant permission for any projects in eco-sensitive places.</p>.<p>Bommai told reporters that his Kerala counterpart during the talks had sought permission for various railway and road projects connecting the two states.</p>.<p>But the CM said these projects fall in ecologically sensitive areas and wildlife sanctuaries, and hence can't be taken up.</p>.<p>Strangely, a statement from Vijayan's office said that Karnataka will consider the proposal for the new rail line between Kaniyur in Dakshina Kannada and Kanhangad in the Kasargod district of Kerala.</p>.<p>Bommai said that Kerala has sought cooperation for various railway projects including the Kanhangad-Kaniyur rail line and other highway projects.</p>.<p>The proposed Kanhangad-Kaniyur rail line spans a length of 40 km in Kerala and 31 km in Karnataka.</p>.<p>"However, this project is not very beneficial for Karnataka. Besides, it will pass through the rich bio-diversity and ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats," he said, adding that Kerala CM has been informed that it is not possible for Karnataka to co-operate on this project.</p>.<p>Vijayan also discussed the old project of the Thalassery-Mysuru rail line but was told that it is not possible to give permission as the proposed rail route will traverse through Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, the CM said.</p>.<p>Vijayan's proposal for an underground rail route was also rejected on environmental grounds, according to Bommai.</p>.<p>Apart from this, increasing the frequency of buses at night via Bandipur National Highway from two to four was also rejected, Bommai added.</p>.<p>In a statement issued by the Kerala CM, he said that both states will jointly urge the National Highway Authority of India to implement an alternative alignment of the Mysuru-Malappuram economic corridor project by overcoming the difficulties caused by night traffic restrictions on NH-766, which passes through the Bandipur National Park.</p>.<p>As an alternative, Karnataka and Kerala will jointly urge the NHAI to implement the Tholpetty (Wayanad)-Purakkattiri (Kozhikode) and Sultan Bathery-Malappuram stretch of the Mysuru-Malappuram economic corridor project.</p>.<p>The Karnataka government even said it will consider extending financial support to the Kaniyooru-Kanhangad line, the statement by Kerala CMO said.</p>
<p>The bilateral talks between Basavaraj Bommai and Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, respectively, in Bengaluru, ended in a deadlock after the former refused to grant permission for any projects in eco-sensitive places.</p>.<p>Bommai told reporters that his Kerala counterpart during the talks had sought permission for various railway and road projects connecting the two states.</p>.<p>But the CM said these projects fall in ecologically sensitive areas and wildlife sanctuaries, and hence can't be taken up.</p>.<p>Strangely, a statement from Vijayan's office said that Karnataka will consider the proposal for the new rail line between Kaniyur in Dakshina Kannada and Kanhangad in the Kasargod district of Kerala.</p>.<p>Bommai said that Kerala has sought cooperation for various railway projects including the Kanhangad-Kaniyur rail line and other highway projects.</p>.<p>The proposed Kanhangad-Kaniyur rail line spans a length of 40 km in Kerala and 31 km in Karnataka.</p>.<p>"However, this project is not very beneficial for Karnataka. Besides, it will pass through the rich bio-diversity and ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats," he said, adding that Kerala CM has been informed that it is not possible for Karnataka to co-operate on this project.</p>.<p>Vijayan also discussed the old project of the Thalassery-Mysuru rail line but was told that it is not possible to give permission as the proposed rail route will traverse through Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, the CM said.</p>.<p>Vijayan's proposal for an underground rail route was also rejected on environmental grounds, according to Bommai.</p>.<p>Apart from this, increasing the frequency of buses at night via Bandipur National Highway from two to four was also rejected, Bommai added.</p>.<p>In a statement issued by the Kerala CM, he said that both states will jointly urge the National Highway Authority of India to implement an alternative alignment of the Mysuru-Malappuram economic corridor project by overcoming the difficulties caused by night traffic restrictions on NH-766, which passes through the Bandipur National Park.</p>.<p>As an alternative, Karnataka and Kerala will jointly urge the NHAI to implement the Tholpetty (Wayanad)-Purakkattiri (Kozhikode) and Sultan Bathery-Malappuram stretch of the Mysuru-Malappuram economic corridor project.</p>.<p>The Karnataka government even said it will consider extending financial support to the Kaniyooru-Kanhangad line, the statement by Kerala CMO said.</p>