Ankola: Hubballi-Ankola Railu Marga Horata Kriya Samiti will stage a dharna in front of Tahsildar office in the town on January 24 at 10:30 am, demanding a railway line between Hubballi and Ankola.

Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday,  Hubballi-Ankola Railu Marga Horata Kriya Samiti President Ramanand Nayak said that it is a long-standing demand of people of this region from last 15 years.

A team led by Dr Subhas Chandra and Dr Ramachandran conducted surveys and studies over the environment of this region for over six months and submitted a report for the implementation of railway project. But, some people are opposing this project giving reasons like effects on the environment. Hence, efforts are being made to clarify the doubts of people and put pressure on both State and Central governments in this regard, he added.

Litterateur Vishnu Naik said, legal advises regarding the project will be taken by Supreme Court Advocate Devadut Kamath and the agitation will be intensified.

Committee secretary Vitthal Das Kamath, member Rajendra Naik, former MLA K H Gowda, Bhaskar Narvekar and others were present on the occasion.