The demand for a double track between Mysore and Bangalore remains a distant mirage, if you go by the words of Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa.
In the city to flag off three trains from Mysore to Chamarajanagar, Shravanabelagola and Sainagar Shirdi, Muniyappa said the project could take at least one-and-half years more.
However, if the state government hands over land in Mandya, Maddur and Srirangapatna, the work of electrification and doubling could be completed within six months, he added.
Even as people are wondering if the double track would ever be completed, Muniyappa said the survey on bullet trains is on and a decision would be taken based on viability.
The factors being considered is less fare compared to flights, but the bullet train should reach faster.
Upgradation of workshop
Muniyappa announced that funds for upgradation of the railway workshop would be allocated during the next budget. He said last year the funds were released to Hubli and in the following year, Mysore would be provided funds for upgradation.
Responding to a request by MP R Dhruvanarayan on railway track between Bangalore and Satyamangalam, he said the project wasn’t taken up due to environmental issues.
Instead, railways is working on constructing track Bangalore to Chamarajanagar passing through Malavalli and Kollegal. The project is in the planning stage and work would be taken up soon after the approval is given.
With trains running to Shravanabelagola via Hassan, people from Mangalore can directly head to Shravanabelagola instead of taking the Arsikere train, he observed.
On putting Kodagu on the rail map, Muniyappa said survey has been completed on laying track up to Kushalnagar. The proposal has been sent to planning commission for approval, he added.
Work on the Bangalore-Shravanabelagola line would start soon. State government has to transfer land in few areas between Bellur and Hirisave. Railway officials and chief secretary have held meetings to resolve the issues, he said.
Action against touts
Muniyappa said railways is taking stringent measures to curb the menace of touts in blocking tickets. He said measures would be taken to prevent agents from purchasing tickets between 10 am and 12 noon.
Muniyappa announced an award for Rs two lakh for South Western Railway general manager Ashok Mittal and Rs one lakh award for divisional railway manager, SWR Mysore division, Vinod Sharma for speeding up work on several projects.
Increase ticket counters
Medical education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas urged Muniyappa to increase the number of ticket counters during the peak hours. He urged railways to open an additional eight counters in the different parts of the city to ease the queue at railway station.
MP R Dhruvanarayan said tickets through train from Mysore to Chamarajanagar costs only Rs 11, whereas it costs Rs 35 in bus. Dhruvanarayan thanked the railways for issuing the Izzat Pass, which is a boon for commuters.
Izzat pass
He said already 3,500 Izzat passes had been issued from his office, which is an indication of popularity of trains. He urged the railways to increase the number of bogies.
He also urged Muniyappa to work provide rail link between Bangalore and Chamarajanagar passing through Malavalli and Kollegal.
MP Adagur H Vishwanath, mayor M C Rajeshwari, MLAs M Satyanarayana, Shankarlingegowda, South Western Railway general Manager Ashok Kumar Mittal, DRM, SWR Mysore division Vinod Sharma and others were present.