Mysore :

A train to Kodagu could now be possible, which could sell tourism potential of the hill station to both domestic and foreign tourists and be the driver of economy.

Thanks to railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda, the only district in Karnataka without railway connectivity is inching closer to get on the rail map of India.

Gowda, whose wife Datty is from Kodagu district, on Tuesday approved the survey of new line that will connect Mysore to Madikeri, the district headquarters. He said: “I am happy to announce that the survey for Mysore-Kushalnagar portion of Mysore-Kushalnagar-Madikeri new line has been completed and the state government has agreed to share cost of the project. This will provide rail connectivity to important tourist destinations in Kodagu (Coorg). I propose to pursue this project for obtaining requisite approvals after completion of remaining survey up to Madikeri.”

Sources in the Mysore division of the South Western Railway said that the survey between Mysore and Kushalnagar has been completed in 2011. The preliminary survey between Kushalnagar and Madikeri is completed t the final location survey is not taken up. With the approval from the railway minister, the project is back on track, they told The Times of India. The Mysore-Kushalnagar section is estimated to be 89 kms long and is planned to have over five stations including one at Peripayapatna. But the estimate for this section is not prepared, they added. As the minister has said if the state government funds its share, the project can be taken up, they explained adding the survey for the remaining portion can be completed within an year.

The Mysore Industries Association welcomed the move and said it will help in the development of the area.

Besides, the track doubling works between Mysore and Bangalore is expected to completed year end, which will improve connectivity to the city. Gowda has said that they plan to open the double track by February 2015 and operate trains. Inclusion of Mysore-Bangalore-Chennai corridor for high speed train connectivity is also welcomed by the MIA.

Connectivity to Shimoga set to improve

Gowda has also announced new survey between Talguppa and Siddapura in Uttara Kannada, which could help link the costal Karnataka to the Malnad region. It was long pending demand of the public to extend railway connectivity from Talguppa near Jog Falls in Shimoga district and link it to Konkan Railway. Shimoga, represented by former CM B S Yeddyurappa in the Lok Sabha, has also got lucky with a new survey ordered between Shimoga and Mangalore via Sringeri. Shimoga has also got a bi-weekly train to Bangalore.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Msore / by H M Aravind, TNN / July 08th, 2014