After initial hiccups in the Davangere-Tumakuru-Bengaluru direct railway line project, MPs of all three districts and railway officials have decided to lay the foundation stone for it in April, if the land identified in five villages of Tumakuru district is handed over to the Railways within a month. They also plan to invite Railway Minster Suresh Prabhu to do the honours.
According to official sources, the project was approved in 2011-12 at an estimated cost of ₹1,801 crore, using 796.36 acres in Tumkuru district, 1,063 acres in Chitradurga, and 260.32 acres in Davangere. The authorities concerned have already released ₹2.39 crore for conducting land survey.
The MPs of Chitradurga and Davangere — B.N. Chandrappa and G.M. Siddeshwar, respectively — recently held a meeting with Railway officials and district Revenue officials and said the tender process would be intensified if the Revenue Department gives assurance on handing over the required land within the stipulated time. The MPs of Chitradurga, Davangere and Tumakuru are to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shortly to urge him to release the funds at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioners of Chitradurga and Davangere said the land acquisition process would be intensified if the Railway authorities finalise the alignment survey and mark the required land.
The MPs also expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of authorities in implementing development works at the Chitradurga and Davangere railway stations even after they were declared as ‘Adarsh’ railway stations.
