The Hindu : Doubling of track to be speeded up

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 01, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Doubling of track to be speeded up

By Our Staff Correspondent

Mysore June 30. The hopes of long-awaited doubling of railway track between Mysore and Bangalore have been revived by the assurances of the Chief Minister, S.M.Krishna, to the local MLA.

The Krishnaraja MLA, A.Ramdas, told The Hindu that he raised the topic during Mr. Krishna's visit to Mysore on Saturday in which the latter gave an assurance to follow it up with the officials to facilitate the logical completion of the project.

Mr. Ramdas said the Government promised to release Rs. 28 crore within a week to expedite the project while the railways released Rs. 14 crore as first instalment. This was part of a MoU signed between the Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprise (KRIDE) and the Ministry of Railways. Under the MoU, rail infrastructure projects in the State would be taken up on a cost-sharing basis.

Mr. Ramdas, who recently visited New Delhi, held discussions with senior Union ministers, railway officials and the Chairman of the Railway Board, all of whom evinced interest in the project and promised to take it up on a priority basis.

The State Government has to meet at least 50 per cent of the project cost to be incurred in completing doubling of track and electrification. The Railway Board has sought a detailed project report, a cost benefit analysis, and funding pattern from the State Government.

Although only doubling of tracks was mooted in the initial stages, it is likely that the Ministry of Railways would be persuaded to take up even electrification of the line.

Mr. Ramdas said the Railway Board had indicated that if there was lack of funds HUDCO had offered to finance the prestigious project.

The doubling of railway track between Mysore and Bangalore would cost nearly Rs. 276 crore at the rate of nearly Rs. two crore per kilometre while electrification would entail additional Rs. 138 crore. The project is likely to be completed in two years as the railways had adequate land except along a few small stretches. Initially, the railways would take up doubling of track till Ramanagara in the Bangalore Division and the work would be extended to Mysore.

The doubling of railway track between Mysore and Bangalore is a long-pending demand of the people who perceived that the development of the region hinged on it.

A technical survey carried out by a group of experts, including those from the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore had clearly stated that reduction in journey time between Mysore and Bangalore was crucial if Mysore was to grow quickly.

The study was carried out by Deo Associates and supported by the former Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board, D.M.Nanjundappa, and well-known scientist, Roddam Narasimha.

The report dwelt on the feasibility of doubling the Mysore- Bangalore line and was optimistic of triggering economic growth in the region. The report titled, "Bangalore-Mysore Corridor — technical, economic, and social potential" (development aimed around a high speed double track electric rail link), strongly favoured doubling the railway track and developing infrastructure corridor between the two cities as an important criterion for sustaining development.

The project is equally important for Bangalore, which was bursting at its seams due to increasing concentration of major economic activities.

The completion of the project can help decongest Bangalore and develop Mysore while boosting the economy of Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts and thus reduce regional imbalances.

The project will be in tune with the Fifth Standing Committe report of the railways, which supported giving priority to railway lines up to a distance of 150 km. from a metropolitan city.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Private colleges plan stir in Karnataka

6 killed in mishap near Udupi

`Man-made structures causing erosion'

Heavy rains damage beaches

Alamatti Dam to be filled to brim

Long wait ends for Koliwad, Haveri

Additional train services between Hubli, Bangalore

Doubling of track to be speeded up

Lorry owners want ban on old vehicles to go

Trade unions told to look beyond bargaining

Horanadu Kannadigas seek support to sustain their work