The long-pending rail link project between Jolarpet and Hosur has been sent to the Central Government for clearance, it was confirmed by a Railway Board official recently.
Anisur Rehman, Director, Works I, Railway Board in his letter dated June 6 addressed to D. Chandrasekaran, Secretary, Krishnagiri District Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Pensioners' Association, said that “as per the announcement of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, the board has taken necessary action to update the survey for Jolarpettai-Hosur via Krishnagiri.” Mr. Rehman also noted that the suggested alignment area and updating survey for the new line had already been completed in May, 2008. As per its report, the proposed new line would take off from Tirupattur and pass through Kandili, Bargur, Krishnagiri and Shoolagiri. The cost of 101- km line was put at Rs. 558.24 crore. As it was non-remunerative, the board had decided to shelve the proposal during October 2009.
The budget announcement regarding the updating of survey on laying of new rail line was welcomed by Hosur Small and Tiny Industries Association (HOSTIA).
Another survey was conducted for a new rail link between Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri in 2004-05 at an estimated cost of Rs. 410.71 crore. Finally, a new survey was conducted to lay rail line from Tiruppathur to Hosur via Bargur, Krishnagiri and Shoolagiri for a length of 101 km at an estimated cost of Rs. 558.24 crore during May 2008 and sent to the Railway Board for approval.
Convener of Rail Passengers Association E.N. Mani told ‘The Hindu' that his father E.R. Nagarajan served as the last station master just before the Krishnagiri railway station in Oldpet was closed in 1936 during the Second World War by the British Government.
More than 150 acres of Railway land had been occupied by the people.
E.G. Sugavanam, Krishnagiri MP, said that the process of getting clearance for the project was going on at a fast pace.
