The Hindu : Karnataka News : Marikuppam-Bisanattam direct rail link to be a reality soon

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Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Marikuppam-Bisanattam direct rail link to be a reality soon

Vishwa Kundapura

Easy connectivity to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala possible

R. Velu’s statement has raised hopes among residents of Bangarpet taluk
Now, people depend on road transportation which is circuitous

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS: The green signal by Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu has raised hopes among residents of Bangarpet taluk in general and of Kolar Gold Fields in particular about realising their dream of having a direct train link between Marikuppam and Bisanattam. Bowing to the pressures of people’s representatives and various organisations of the region, the Minister, who was here a couple of days ago, has given assurance in this regard.

Various organisations and political parties such as the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Karnataka Dalit Sena, KGF People’s Welfare Association and Communist Party of India (Marxist), Kolar MP K.H. Muniyappa and KGF MLA S. Rajendran have been constantly making representations to the Railway Ministry and the authorities concerned demanding linking the Marikuppam branch line with Bisanattam on Bangalore-Chennai main line of Bangalore division of Southern Railways.

But the Railways, except preparing a feasibility report on technical/economical aspects, did not make any positive move in this direction.

If the 17-km line between Marikuppam (in Karnataka) and Bisanattam (in Andhra Pradesh) is laid, it will go a long way in making connectivity to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala as well easy. Since Bangarpet taluk is bordering Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, most of the people of this region have their relatives in neighbouring towns and cities of these States.

This factor alone is contributing much towards the inflow of commuters between these States and Karnataka.

At present, the people have to depend mainly on road transportation which is circuitous and tedious. For example, to go to Chennai, people have to travel on a hilly road without any safety. The route is circuitous too, passing through Venkatagiri Kota, Pernabut, Gudiyatham, Vellore and Arcot to reach Chennai.

It is time consuming and expensive also. Hence, a direct train link to Chennai from Marikuppam will be convenient for daily commuters and will help in cementing the bond between the people of these States, it is felt.

According to the organisations advocating the Marikuppam-Bisanattam link line, there are geographical and economical advantages for the Railways in laying the line.

“The entire landscape from Marikuppam to Bisanattam is plain.

Earth work will and construction of culverts and bridges will be minimum. And, the track alignment will be without much gradient,” A.R. Babu, president of DYFI Bangarpet taluk committee, told The Hindu while explaining about the efforts put in by several organisations in convincing the authorities in the matter.

Land acquisition for the line also is not a big problem, he added. Most of the land on the route belongs to Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML). Since mining activities are stopped, it is easy to acquire land in possession of the Union Government. It will generate job opportunities for the erstwhile workforce of BGML.

However, the Railways has put forward a different version. The slope in the region is not ideal for constructing a track, it says.

Mr. Velu too made this aspect clear at a function here on Tuesday last saying that the line will be laid on a different route. This will be beneficial to more villages, he said. Survey would be conducted afresh on the new line, he added.

Once the demand for this line is translated into reality, it will reduce the distance by 36 km, i.e., 16 km between Marikuppam and Bangarpet and another 20 km between Bangarpet and Bisanattam. It will also bring down the running time, and, of course, the fare too.

Direct connectivity to the southern States is also expected to help boost dairying and sericulture activities, which are the two main occupations of undivided Kolar district.

The organisations have been submitting memorandums to Railway Ministers. Their leaders have approached Nitish Kumar, A.K. Antony and Basanagouda Patil in the past decade.

The then Chief Minister J.H. Patel also requested the Union Government to consider the demand positively. Most of the Lok Sabha members from the State, led by Kolar MP K.H. Muniyappa, have been supporting the demand and have signed a petition in this regard.

With passenger and freight movements sure to go up, the line would become an economically viable route and even the Railways can expect profit, it is said.

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