(a) whether the Union Government have taken expeditious steps for the completion of survey work of Thalassery-Mysore rail line;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the present position including the funds allocated and spent during the last three years?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. A survey for construction of a new line from Tellicherry to Mysore was conducted in 1997. The survey report revealed that the route length of the proposed line via Coorg would be 298 km including 138 km in Ghat section and the cost of the work would be Rs. 860 cr. while the alternative via Wayanad would be 247.5 km long and would cost Rs. 754.28 cr. Both the alternatives were having negative rates of return. Due to unremunerative nature of the project and acute constraint of resources it has not been found possible to consider taking up the project for the present.