Wayanad Railway

        VISION 2020 for Railways categorically states that Railways must reach the remote and underserved areas of the country, aiming at improving the connectivity to far-flung areas and large districts unconnected by the Railways today, to bring them into the national mainstream of development. The Vision 2020  also proposes to add 25,000 kms of new Lines by 2020,of which,at least 10,000 kms would be socially desirable lines regardless of their economic viability in the short run.

                     People of Kerala have  two  main rail routes linking it to the other parts of India-ie the Konkan line and the Palakkad-Coimbatore line.The Palakkad-Coimbatore line is already saturated and Konkan line which is a single line is prone to natural calamities.The frequent land slides at Konkan Railway has thrown train services out of gear,as there is no alternate route to divert trains.In other words a new ‘OPENING’ is required for the growing demands of Kerala for new trains and routes.

                 The 236 kms long Nilambur Road-Sulthan Bathery-Nanjangud Town Rail line is the ideal solution for these problems and will be a boon to the people of Wayanad,who are facing lot of difficulties due to the over night road traffic ban.

                                                     

                 The proposed new line between Nilambur and Nanjangud Town is of national importance and will cater to the needs of the people across geographies and income strata as well as ethnic,religious and social diversities.It will better connect centres of commerce and industry,places of pilgrimage, historical sites, and tourist attractions,as also ports to hinterland.Hence the proposed line  linking the remotest South Indian districts of Wayanad,Nilgiris and Malappuram to the National BG rail network deserves top priority as accorded to Konkan line.

                

The salient advantages of this ‘VITAL MISSING LINK’ ie Nilambur-Sulthan Bathery-Nanjangud rail line are mentioned below:

i)Will serve as an effective alternative  rail route to Konkan Railway which is exposed to traffic blocks during monsoon land slides and in emergencies.(See the map enclosed)

ii)Significant distance reduction between Kanyakumari, Kerala and the cities of Mysore,Hubli,Bangalore,Hyderabad and New Delhi.(Saves about 350 kms to Mysore,Hubli,Hyderabad,Delhi and 70 kms to Bangalore)

iii)Provides easy connectivity between Inland Container Terminal,Bangalore and the Container ports of Vallarpadam, Kochi and proposed Vizhinjam port,near Trivandrum.

iv)Immense tourist and pilgrimage potential as it links Mysore, Wayanad, Nilgiris,Guruvayur and Sabarimala.

v)Will bring the backward districts of Wayanad, Malappuram, Chamarajanagar and Nilgiris into the national BG Rail network boosting their economic development.

vi)Wayanad will be linked to Mysore Airport and the IT cities of Mysore and Bangalore by rail.

vii)Will boost national integration by linking the hinterland of Kerala,Tamilnadu and Karnataka states.

                         It will accelerate economic growth,open up new avenues for employment in the primary,secondary and tertiary sectors and also promote geographically and socially balanced growth.

                      The proposed line via Chungathara, Vazhikkadavu,Venthekkumpotty,Birlavanam,Glenrock,Devala (Gudalur Road),Pandalur,Cheeral and Sulthan Bathery benefits the districts of Malappuram,Wayanad and Nilgiris.

                     The proposed route runs parallel to NH 212 between Bathery and Nanjangud as it traverses forest areas,thus avoiding vast destruction of forest land.

                  Overbridges or elevated corridors can be built at elephant crossings to avoid harm to wild animals,as done across wild life sanctuaries in North India.By carrying more people and goods than other modes of transport,Railways can help protect the environment while promoting balanced development.A train can replace about 60 lorries/buses in the route and thus can significantly bring down pollution.

                  The latest estimate of this 238 kms long line is about Rs 3385 crores.The Railway Board and Central Planning Commission has accorded ‘sanction in principle’ for this line (vide F.No 7/29/2010-Tpt,Planning Commission,Govt of India,dated 06.04.2010.) and is awaiting approval from the CCEA.