Mysore-Nanjangud all set to be upgraded to broad gauge

Mysore, Jan 2 (UNI) The stage is set for taking up the gauge conversion work between Mysore-Nanjangud on the 61 km Mysore- Chamarajanagara stretch and the work is expected to be completed by March 31 this year.

South Western Railway sources told UNI that rails and cement sleepers have been kept ready and the construction wing of Indian Railways had been geared up to complete the first phase of the work in the stipulated period. The SWR authorities had recommended the suspension of train service from Mysore-Nanjangud town from tomorrow to take up the work, but the Mysore division was yet to hear from the SWR headquarters in Hubli.

The gauge conversion work, approved by the Railway Board, would be taken up in two phases. The project was approved in 2001 and funds were sanctioned in subsequent Railway budgets. The project received a boost when it was sanctioned Rs 45 crore in the 2005 railway budget. The project hit roadblocks when there was paucity of sleepers and rails, though over 80 per cent of earth work had been completed.

Sources said the civil works pertaining to the project had been completed. The actual cost of the project at the time of its approval was Rs 85 crore and there might be some cost escalation.

The sources also said the authorities were optimistic that the work would be completed by the year-end, providing the region with direct connectivity to Bangalore and expediting development since Chamarajanagara district was considered one of the backward districts in the State.

As the broad gauge network terminated at Mysore, industrial units at Nanjangud had to incur additional expense to unload wares and raw materials from broad gauge wagons and reload it in Mysore to metre gauge wagons.

UNI