Mysuru: The Railway connectivity to Kodagu is a dream of thousands of people. Despite assurances by the elected representatives, the implementation of the project is still being deferred. The latest development is that the contractor company which obtained to conduct final location survey has abandoned the work. The railway authorities have now initiated the process of re-tender to conduct final location survey (FLO).
The Bengaluru-based aerial construction private limited has awarded the work six months back through competitive bidding to conduct FLO. The company did not undertake any work citing rain. After the rains stopped the company now informed railways that it would like to get it out of the project.
The tender was awarded for Rs. 1.26 Crore but it consumes a lot of time. Each tender process takes at least 6 months of time. A year back Hyderabad-based Mata Construction and Builders Limited was given the work. But the company did undertake work and stepped out.
The demand for railway connectivity has history of decades. But the UPA nor NDA governments did nothing to fulfil the dream of the people, and thus Kodagu is the only district in State without railway connectivity.
The erstwhile Railway Minister V. Muniyappa in the year 2009 promised the 88-km-long railway line from Mysuru to Kushalanagara. He also ordered for survey work. The news hit headlines in the media. Even media published the news under the caption what State would get in this budget.
According to the proposal, both the State and Central Governments have to bear 50 percent of the cost of the project. The then State Government led by B. S. Yediyurappa showed interest in the project but the project did not materialise.
During Lok Sabha election in 2014, Kodagu Mysuru MP Pratap Simha promised the voters that he would bring the train to Kodagu if voted to power. After election, he even declared that he won’t seek votes in next election if he fails to introduce railway facility. But he contested in 2019 and won by giving promise that the project is under progress. But nothing has been done so far.
The project costed Rs. 1657 Crore five year back and now the cost has seen a rise. The Railway Department earlier abandoned the project saying it is not viable. Followed by pressure of local politicians again the railway took up the project. The negligence of the elected representatives particularly is hampering the speedy implementation of the project.
When contacted MP Pratap Simha did not pick the call. If the project is implemented thousands of men who are serving in various parts of the country will be benefitted a lot.
The district produces more than 30 per cent of country’s coffee production, and having railway connectivity will help to transport the coffee to port at economic freight charges. Moreover the vehicular traffic in Mysuru- Kushalanagara Road would also be reduced. But the tragic part is that no one is showing interest to implement the project.
