Kadur-Chikmagalur rail line remains only on paper till date

These are the assurances given by MP D V Sadananda Gowda, Jayaprakash Hegde and Chandrappa at various platforms in the district.

The demand for railway line from Kadur-Chikmagalur has been existing since 1912. A survey to run 60.5 km train was also completed during the period. In fact, district board had come forward to give a sum of Rs 5.50 lakh for the construction of ralway line to the Railways department. However, Railways backtracked from the proposed project as the railways could not fetch any profit. In fact, the survey was even conducted in 1955 and 1961.

Kadur-Sakleshpura railway project figured in Railway budget during the reign of H D Deve Gowda as Prime Minister. The total cost of the project was Rs 194 crore. However, Deve Gowda did not remain in post for long. He did not give much importance to the project after being elected as MP. As a result, the work remained unfulfilled even to this day. The estimated cost of Kadur-Chikmagalur line in 1999 was Rs 65.19 crore. However, now it has been increased to Rs 108.17 crore, according to sources in railways. The Railway Board has not given its nod to the revised estimate.

This was revealed from a letter written by railways to DC office on June 9.  As many as six railway stations should be constructed between Kadur-Chikmagalur. The work on bridge and tunnels and other works are still pending. Moreover, authorities are yet to release Rs 5.38 crore to be given as compensation to the land acquired for the railway line.  Now people are waiting for ‘Good Friday’ on June 3.

Will the promises of the elected representatives come true? Lets wait and see.