The 18th century armoury belonging to the era of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatana continues to baffle the railway authorities.
As per the latest thinking, the stretch between Srirangapatna and the Cauvery bridges on either side of the station could be linked by the existing single-line track. The armoury has to be shifted for the completion of the ongoing track doubling work between Mysore and Bangalore as it bisects the track alignment and the second track cannot be laid without its relocation.
Though the State government cleared the shifting and the National Monuments Authority of the Archaeological Survey of India gave its approval last year, there has been no progress. The monument is made of brick and mortar and translocation is proving to be challenging. It has a 15-ft. deep foundation, and the structure is spread over 30 ft. by 40 ft.
Mr. Gowda hinted at a single-line track at the point so that it obviates the need for its relocation. When asked whether the armoury relocation plan has been dropped, the Minister was ambivalent but simply said the project will be completed by March 2015 and the double-line track will become operational.
Later, he said the benefit of track doubling will not be neutralised due to the single line at that section as train timings can be adjusted. As a result, no time will be lost in waiting for the incoming trains or the outgoing trains to cross, said the Minister.
