Amid Protests And Environmental Concerns, Railways Set To Scrap Mysuru-Thalassery Rail Line Via Kodagu

Amid ongoing protests against the Thalassery-Mysuru rail line via Kodagu, the Indian Railways has decided to scrap the project, The New Indian Express has reported.

According to the daily’s report, environmentalists and local people in Kodagu and other Cauvery districts have been protesting against the proposed rail line and have expressed concerns over its impact on the environment.

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who has already informed Kerala Chief Minister about the non-feasibility of the project, may make an announcement in this regard in the Parliament today (7 March).

According to environmentalists, the construction of a rail line in the district would result in degradation of the environment and may lead to aggravated drinking water situation in several cities and towns.

A delegation comprising office-bearers of Kodagu Ekikarna Ranga and trustees of Wildlife First - M K Chinnappa, Praveen Bhargav and H N A Prasad had submitted a memorandum to the Railway Ministry on Monday, opposing the line. Apart from highlighting environmental hazards, the delegation is believed to have argued that the existing rail and road infrastructure in the region is sufficient for the people.

“The Minister gave a categorical assurance and he was pretty clear about the ecological damage the rail project would have caused (if implemented). Further, he was concerned about both wildlife and water conservation and so forth. That is the assurance we got ... he was very categorical and therefore, the issue rests at that point,” Bhargav was quoted by the daily as saying.

“A project, that has been in the offing since 1962, has not taken off for these very reasons as it would have been an ecological disaster. We requested them to introduce one more train between Bengaluru and Mangaluru as the existing rail link was enough. The Minister understood our concerns and said the project was neither possible nor feasible,” added Prasad, another member of the delegation.