Despite the imperatives of track doubling work of the rail link between Bangalore and Mysore and its multiplier effect on the economy and society, land acquisition in Mandya district has delayed the project, whose December 2012 deadline has now been stretched by another year.
Railways sources told The Hindu that work on the 6-km Channapatna-Shettihalli section is 95 per cent complete, and it will become operational this year. The 9-km stretch between Maddur and Hanakere is 75 per cent done while work between Hanakere and Byadarahalli, a distance of 27 km, is a distant 20 per cent.
Railway officials are optimistic despite the delay as they point out that the benefits of track doubling will accrue.
For example, the completion of work till Channapatna augmented the load handling capacity in the section, enabling the Railways to introduce three additional services on the Bangalore-Mysore section.
When the project is completed, the Railways may even find it feasible to introduce hourly trains, even upping frequency depending on the passenger traffic, the officials said.
