Funds crunch affecting doubling of track

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, SEPT. 16. The doubling of the railway track between Mysore and Bangalore can be completed within 20 months at an estimated cost of Rs. 220 crore if the project is cleared by the Government, according to the Mysore Divisional Railway Manager, Mr.C.Illangovan.

Speaking to presspersons here today, Mr. Illangovan said although the proposal, which was perceived to be feasible, had been sent to the Government, it was still to be cleared due to lack of funds. The first phase of the project, involving the doubling of the track between Bangalore and Ramanagaram, was hampered owing to lack of funds, as it was estimated that it would cost Rs. 60 crore to complete the work on the 45-km. stretch.

Mr. Illangovan said the work on the 140-km. stretch between Mysore and Bangalore could be completed in 20 months if work was taken up simultaneously from both ends. The question of land acquisition would not pose a problem except for a small stretch in Bangalore Division.

Commenting on the infrastructure work to be completed in the Mysore Division, Mr. Illangovan said upgradation of passenger amenities at a cost of Rs. one crore was on top of the agenda, which involved extending platform numbers two and three in Mysore to accommodate 18 coaches against the existing 14.

He said the Railways were also studying a proposal to introduce a daily service between Mysore and Bangalore late in the evening to clear the rush. In addition, there was a demand to revive the Mysore-Hassan Express, which was introduced on an experimental basis, and withdrawn recently due to poor patronage.

The express train used to depart from Mysore at 10 a.m. and cover the distance between Mysore and Hassan in two and half hours, which was a saving of nearly an hour when compared to travel by road. Yet, the train ran at less than 20 per cent of its carrying capacity. There was also a proposal to revive the Mysore-Vasco Express which was discontinued due to gauge conversion.

Referring to the division's performance, Mr. Illangovan, said Mysore Division had achieved a record growth of 30 per cent in goods traffic with a haulage of 1.34 million tonnes of cargo in the previous financial year. For the current year, the division had a set target of hauling 1.7 million tonnes of cargo which was estimated to yield a revenue of Rs. 152 crore.

He said that freight traffic received a boost due to record production of maize, which was lifted from Rannebennur. This year, the Mysore Centre had received orders from the Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) to lift heavy duty trucks for the Indian Army that were manufactured in Mysore Division. As many as 140 heavy-duty trucks would be lifted from Mysore this financial year.

Mr. Illangovan said computerised booking would be introduced in Chitradurga, Haveri, and Kadur while this had already been introduced in Mysore, Davanagere, Hassan, and Shimoga. An iron- ore loading terminal extension in Chitradurga, extension of side railings in Shimoga for the Indian Oil bulk terminal, and the extension of lines in Ranibennur for grain loading were among other works likely to be taken up during the current financial year.

The Divisional Commercial Manager, Mr. Abubakar, said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Railways and the Government of Karnataka for development of railways in the State could take up doubling of tracks between Mysore and Bangalore. He said this was one way of generating funds for the project.

The general perception among railway officials was that if the State Government could take up the doubling of tracks, the controversial express highway project could be shelved. With the increase in passenger traffic in the section, the doubling of tracks on the Mysore-Bangalore section would see a drastic increase in the number of people preferring train to road transport.

Commenting on the Palace on Wheels, the senior railway officials here said though the project had been approved in principle, the Tourism Department had not taken much initiative on the question of sharing one-third of the cost to operate the concept.

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Section  : Southern States
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