Ropeway and winch train to Anjanadri Hills
Context
The Karnataka Tourism Department is actively evaluating the installation of a passenger ropeway or a winch (funicular) train at Anjanadri Hills in Koppal district.
- The project aims to provide an alternate, accessible transit method for lakhs of devotees and tourists who are physically unable to ascend the steep 575-step climb to the hilltop Hanuman temple.
Infrastructure Proposals Under Consideration
- The Transit Models: Officials are benchmarking the project against the funicular system at Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu. The proposed winch train would utilize three separate rail tracks to safely transport large passenger volumes. Alternatively, a ropeway system using four-passenger cable cars could ferry visitors to the summit within five to six minutes.
- Implementation Strategy: The infrastructure will be developed via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. A private consultancy firm is currently surveying the local topography to draft a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) Report.
- Regulatory Clearances: Because Anjanadri Hills is adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site perimeter of Hampi, the final HIA will undergo rigorous reviews by the State Government, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Ecological & Environmental Concerns
The proximity of the proposed alignment to the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary has triggered strong criticism from environmentalists:
- Habitat Disruption: Industrial construction and steady mechanical operations risk fracturing the native territory of sloth bears, likely escalating man-animal conflicts as wildlife shifts into human settlements.
- Pollution & Traffic: Conservationists warn that an artificial influx of massive crowds will accelerate waste accumulation, littering, and ecosystem pollution, while compounding heavy vehicular traffic on local roads connecting to the sanctuary
About Anjanadri Hills
- Administrative Location: It is located in Hanumanahalli village, Gangavathi Taluk of Koppal District (Kalyana-Karnataka region).
- Physiographic Region: Situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, it features a unique boulder-strewn landscape characteristic of the Deccan Plateau.
- Architectural Period: The hilltop houses a white-washed Hanuman Temple featuring a rock-carved deity dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire period.
- UNESCO Buffer Zone: The hill sits adjacent to the perimeter of the Hampi UNESCO World Heritage Site, requiring any infrastructure layout to clear a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA).
- Ropeway Project: The state government has proposed a ₹200-crore master plan using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to install a passenger ropeway and an eco-friendly winch (funicular) train system modeled after Tamil Nadu’s Palani Hills.
- Ecological Conflict: The project faces environmental screening due to its immediate proximity to the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, raising concerns about wildlife habitat fragmentation.
EV tech incubation centre
Context
Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is establishing a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Tech Incubation Centre in Choranahalli, Mysuru. The initiative is backed by a ₹12 crore financial assistance package provided by the Karnataka State.
Highlights of the Center
- Target Audience: Designed specifically to support engineering students and aspiring EV entrepreneurs to launch technology startups.
- Resource Allocation: Provides critical seed funding, dedicated physical workspace, and advanced research infrastructure.
- End-to-End Support: Offers comprehensive training, including hands-on technical experience, marketing strategy refinement, and product description assistance.
- Strategic Growth: Aligns with Karnataka’s larger “Beyond Bengaluru” digital economy push, helping Mysuru emerge as a prime hub for clean energy, semiconductors, and electronics.