MP seeks increased railway connectivity in Mysuru region

Member of Parliament from Mysuru-Kodagu Pratap Simha has written a letter to Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu, putting forward a few demands for the benefit of the passengers in the region.

Simha has sought direct rail connectivity to Mumbai, Secunderabad and Goa from Mysuru; additional train services on Bengaluru-Mysuru sector and development of a Satellite Railway Terminal at Kadakola to decongest the main railway station in the city.

Pointing out the long-pending demands of the citizens in this regard, Simha has stated that this would help Mysuru achieve all-round development as it was one of the emerging major IT hubs as well as a tourist hotspot.

“A new train may leave Mysuru at 12 noon and return from Bangalore around 4.30 pm. This will decongest Chamundi Express, leaving Bangalore at 6.15 pm, which is always overcrowded. Nearly 3,000 people employed in the unorganised sector depend on this train as other modes of transport are not affordable to them. This train can also provide connectivity to other important trains leaving Bangalore 3 pm onwards,” the letter states.

“Diesel multiple units (DMU) and mainline electrical multiple unit (MEMU) between Mysuru and Bengaluru can be introduced as the doubling of the line is almost complete and electrification of the section is progressing concurrently. Either DMU or MEMU can greatly help people from poor economic backgrounds, who are in search of jobs in nearby urban areas, including Bengaluru and in the industrial belt in its periphery,” Simha said.

“Connectivity from Mysuru to Secunderabad is a long time demand. Besides providing an additional train between Mysuru and Bengaluru, it can decongest Bengaluru City station. It can also help people of Mysuru, Kodagu, Hassan and Chamarajanagar districts to travel to Secunderabad. Presently, Mysuru is connected to Mumbai (DR) by a weekly train.

But, there is a demand that Mysuru be provided with a daily service to Mumbai. Thousands of IT professionals trained at Global Training Centre of Infosys in Mysuru are sent to Mumbai and Pune to take up work. Further, tourism can be immensely benefited if a daily train is introduced to Mumbai. This train can leave Mysuru at 5.15 pm to reach Mumbai around 8 pm the following day.

“Mysuru and Vasco are two prominent tourist destinations, especially for foreigners. A large number of tourists visit these places almost throughout the year. Connectivity between these two cities will greatly help them. Besides, the tourism industry will get a boost,” the letter states.

Simha has stated that the scope for infrastructure development to handle increased traffic, post doubling of Mysuru-Bengaluru section, is limited. “So, the need for development of a second terminal for Mysuru, on the lines of Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru, has become imminent for smooth flow of traffic. The proposal of CONCOR to develop an Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Kadakola to promote exports will get a fillip if the satellite terminal is developed,” the letter adds.

Train to Kodagu

In another letter to the Railway Minister, Simha has demanded laying of Mysuru-Kushalnagar- Madikeri line (110 km).

“Kodagu district is currently not having any rail link and there is a long-pending
demand to bring Kodagu on the Railway map. Last year also, a part estimate for the new line between Mysuru-Kushalnagar was submitted to the Railway Board. However, it could not be sanctioned last year, but the then Minister for Railways had stated that the survey work up to Madikeri will be completed and a consolidated report will be availed,” Simha has stated.

Simha has also urged the minister to sanction a road over-bridge in lieu of a level crossing in Hassan. “Near the new bus terminal at Hassan town, there is railway level crossing, which is causing huge congestion of traffic. Though efforts were made by South Western Railway, as Karnataka government consented to share the cost of the project, it could not be sanctioned in the last budget,” the letter points out.