Date:07/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/07/stories/2008070750010100.htm

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Hosur-Jolarpet rail link may become a reality

S. Prasad

PHOTO: N. BASHKARAN

Hope at last: The Railways has ordered a re-survey on the feasibility of laying a new line between Hosur and Jolarpet via Krishnagiri. —

Hosur: Finally there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the decade-old Hosur-Jolarpet rail link project. The Ministry of Railways has ordered a re-survey to examine the feasibility of laying a new railway line betweenHosur and Jolarpet via Krishnagiri.

The district headquarters has no rail connectivity barring the network of national highways connecting Bangalore and other major cities. The present rail link in the district traverses through Rayakottai and Hosur to reach Bangalore. To board a train the residents have to travel to Jolarpet junction.

Realising its importance, a satellite survey was undertaken in 1998 on providing a rail link between Jolarpet and Hosur and approval was also given for the project. The total cost of the project then worked out to Rs.147 crore. But, when the Union Government was dissolved that year, the project was also shelved. “The decision of the Railways Ministry has revived the hopes of the people of this district on the project,” says former MP Narasimhan.