India, March 10 -- While the approval process for the State Environmental Assessment Committee with respect to the construction of a tunnel from Khadakwasla to Phursungi is in its final stage, the irrigation department has already started preliminary work not related to the environment including road construction, labour tent setup, and area cleaning to ease logistics.

Hanumant Gunale, chief engineer of the water resources department, said, "The preliminary work not related to the environment has already started, which includes road construction, labour tent setup, and area cleaning to ease logistics."

"We are in the process of obtaining a clearance certificate from the forests and environment department to start the (environment-relate...