Ambedkarnagar houses to make way for rail line, residents yet to get alternativ

Around 60 houses will be razed for the line

The anxiety among the residents of Ambedkarnagar has been increasing as the work on laying of railway tracks on the Shidlaghatta route has gained momentum.

For, as the work progresses, several houses in Ambedkarnagar will be demolished to make way for new railway lines.

Union minister K H Muniyappa, who earlier held the railway portfolio, Chikkaballapur MLA KP Bache Gowda and Deputy Commissioner Dr N Manjula had told the residents that they should be prepared to make some sacrifices for extending the rail line from Chikkaballapur to Shidlaghatta, Chintamani and Kolar. They had assured the residents that they would be provided alternative sites and financial help for constructing houses and, that they need not worry.

The residents had mentally prepared themselves to vacate their dwellings. But, as the promise held out by the authorities did not materialise, they have not vacated their houses so far. As these residents have constructed houses on the land belonging to the Railways, the department has been frequently issuing them notices to vacate. “The delay in providing alternative sites, the frequent notices and the progress in the track laying work have only increased our anxiety,” residents told Deccan Herald.

“A list of the residents, whose houses will be demolished, has been submitted to Railways. But, the list does not include the names of all the families, around 60, who would be losing their houses. Instead, of making alternative arrangements, the Railways has been issuing us notices. The local MLA and the deputy commissioner have to come to our rescue,” said Shivappa, a resident of Ambedkarnagar.

On the other, it was feared that various development works that have been taken up at nearly 100-years-old the Chikkaballapur railway station and extension of rail line would come to a halt following the shifting of Muniyappa from the Railway ministry. But, on the contrary, the work on construction of a new building and laying of rail line is going on smoothly.