The work on constructing a new rail line between Rayadurga and Tumkur has been lagging owing to the delay on the part of the State government in completing the land acquisition process and handing over the land required for laying the track.
Petition filed
A writ petition was filed by 14 social and voluntary organisations as well as prominent individuals from Ballari and Hosapete.
The organisations, including Ballari District Railway Action Committee, D.R.K. Rangasiri, Ballari, District Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Hosapete Bar Association, sought a direction to the Railways to expedite the construction of the new railway line between Rayadurga and Tumkur.
They also demanded the introduction of additional train services. The petition came up for preliminary hearing recently.
‘No delay’
The Railways, while submitting its arguments before the Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court, has clarified that there has been no delay from its side.
The Railways, in its submission, pointed out that the land acquisition process had not been completed in Karnataka.
The Rayadurga and Tumkur line is a cost-sharing project on 50:50 basis between Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the Railways since December 9, 2010 and September 14, 2011 respectively.
The Railways has also said that it developed a number of infrastructure facilities for Ballari, including the doubling of track between Guntakal-Ballari-Hospet, connectivity to Chickjajur and plans for electrification of railway lines. This apart, the number of coaches of the Hampi Express was increased. There were also plans to introduce other trains from Hubballi/Bengaluru/Mysuru connecting Ballari to Howrah, Shirdi, Jodhpur and Ajmer among other places, the Railways said.
The bench was informed that Andhra Pradesh has completed acquisition of 433.38 acres, out of the total requirement of 981.23 acres and handed the land over to the Railways in October. The work was going on in Andhra Pradesh.
Acquisition submitted
In Karnataka, though the land acquisition application was submitted in March, 2010, so far only 48.26 acres of land has been acquired, out of the total requirement of 1,342.51 acres.
The work could not be started due to agitation by land owners for non-payment of compensation by Government of Karnataka, though the Railway had already deposited Rs. 44.41 crore with the Special Land Acquisition Officer.
Detailed estimate
The project was sanctioned during the year 2007-08. Subsequently a detailed estimate was sanctioned by competent authority on July 21, 2009.
After that the Railways applied for land acquisition to both the States — Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka — on October 21, 2009 and on March 18 2010 respectively.
‘Persuade government’
“The grievances of the petitioners are apparently met with, as can be deciphered from the Statements of Objections of the respondents. In view of the matter, there is no more to be decided, except for the railway authorities to persuade the Karnataka government to ensure acquisition of land for the purpose of laying the railway line,” the bench, consisting of Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy, noted, while disposing off the petition.
The total length of the project is 206.53 km
102.63 km falls within Karnataka
103.90 km falls within Andhra Pradesh
