Will the proposed Chamarajanagar-Bengaluru railway line via Kollegal, Malavalli and Kanakapura materialise? The question assumes significance as the project secured approval two years ago and against the estimated cost of Rs. 1,382 crore, it has received only Rs.10 crore by way of funding in the last budget.
R. Dhruvanarayan, Chamarajanagar MP, who met Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu this week, urged him to release adequate funding to expedite the project, which will bring vast parts of the State, including commercial centres like Kanakapura, Malavalli and Kollegal, on the railway map of India. But it is unlikely that the cash-strapped Railways will release funds for new lines, which are not proven to be economically viable with an impressive return on investment. Though the State government has agreed to bear the cost partially, sources in the Railways told The Hindu that the Ministry was unlikely to release funds for new projects as the additional financial burden by way of hike in staff salaries proposed by the 7th Pay Commission has shot up.
Besides, the cost escalation has to be borne in mind given the pace at which the railway projects are executed. The track doubling project on the high priority Bengaluru-Mysuru sector — where 24 pairs of trains operate per day and most of them are overcrowded — is under execution since 10 years and it is anybody’s guess as to when the Chamarajanagar-Bengaluru railway line will be completed even if the State government chips in.
But there is a body of opinion that favours linking Malavalli and Kollegal with Kanakapura and Bengaluru as it is reckoned to be a commercially viable proposition given the region’s vibrant commercial and agricultural activity.
Mr. Dhruvanarayan has also sought funds for creating additional maintenance facilities at Chamarajanagar station, which will facilitate introduction of more trains to that town. He argued that some of the long distance trains, which terminate at Mysuru for maintenance, could be operated till Chamarajanagar. This would help decongest Mysuru station while at the same time ensure better connectivity with Chamarajanagar.
Mr. Dhruvanarayan has also sought the extension of Mysuru-Shivamogga and Mysuru-Dharwad Express till Chamarajanagar.
