Apathy: Track doubling work derails

Apathy: Track doubling work derails
Deccan Herald

The much-awaited doubling of the railway track between Bangalore and Ramanagaram now faces a hurdle, and its completion by March 2006 depends on the State government.

The much-awaited doubling of the railway track between Bangalore and Ramanagaram now faces a hurdle, and its completion by March 2006 depends on the State government.

The progress of the project is dependent on finance from the government. However, the delay on the Government’s part in depositing its share of the cost has put the project in jeopardy, while the Railways aims to commission the project by the end of this financial year.

The Government has so far deposited only Rs 8 crore towards the Rs 90-crore project, out of its share of Rs 60 crore.

After several years of waiting, the Railway Board has approved track doubling between Bangalore and Ramanagaram, though the demand to double the track till Mysore is long-pending.

Talking to Deccan Herald, Mr Manoj Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer (Constructions), South Western Railways, said that the Government’s support to the Railways is very important in realising the project, since the work has been taken up on a cost-sharing basis.

As of now, the Railways has completed formation work like earthwork, ballast, and laying of rails and sleepers up to Bidadi. Though the sleeper work has been partly done, a majority of the work, barring installation of signal equipment, cable laying and commissioning of stations, has been done, Mr Kumar says, adding that since the Railways has already spent a huge sum on the work done so far, the Government should deposit its share to complete the work as per schedule.

In fact, the Railways has taken up the matter with Industries and Finance Minister P G R Sindhia, who has promised to take appropriate action so as to keep the project on track.

“The Government is keen to take the project to its logical end - Mysore, but funds constraints are coming in the way. However, the government has given a positive response,” Mr Kumar discloses.

It is learnt that the Railways is likely to hold talks at the Secretary-level to formalise the government’s interest on laying double lines up to Mysore.

Unlikely to proceed

Unless a clear-cut assurance comes from the Government, the work from Bidadi to Ramanagaram is unlikely to proceed. “The project is already two years old.

The Government should co-operate and confirm its interest, fulfilling its financial commitment,” Railway sources said.

Local people feel that the doubling of track will, with unprecedented growth, transform the corridor into an economic zone.