Wayanad Railway (Nilambur-Sulthan Bathery-Nanjangud Railway)

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Prospects of Wayanad railway

History
A rail line to connect Wayanad with Mysore was under active consideration since 1880 as evident from the records of Mysore people’s council. Surveys for Nanjangud - Wayanad railway line was conducted in the years 1906, 1916-17 and 1924. (Copy of Reports are available at Us )
During 1999 survey of Nanjangud - Badakara line was held. The proposed line passes through Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta, Vythiri, Poozhithode and Nadapuram.
During 2004 survey of Nanjangud-Sulthan Bathery- Nilambur line was conducted. Thereafter during 2009 survey for this line was again held as 2 sectors ie. Nanjangud- Sulthan Bathery (72 k.m.) and Sulthan Bathery - Nilambur road (164 k.m). During 2010 Railway Bord has accorded in principal sanction for this line.
Whether fund a constraint?
There is a popular fallacy that constraint of fund prevents railways from taking up new projects. But the 2012-13 railway budget has allocated Rs. 6872 cores for new lines. The budget has sanctioned 45 new lines with own fund and 11 new lines with state governments participation. The rail budget specifically states despite of constrains new lines would be considered. ( Para 45 of railway budget 2012-13)

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,D evala (Gudalur Road),Pandalur,Cheeral and Sulthan Bathery benefits the districts of Malappuram,Wayanad and Nilgiris.
The proposed route runs parallel to NH 212 between Sulthan 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.

1st stage is more viable

As per the 2009 survey the distance between Nilambur road-Sulthan Bathery stretch is 164 k.m. and cost would be Rs. 2,579 crores, where as the distance by road between these two stations are 82 k.m. Reasons for the escalation of distance and costs in this stretch is that the height from sea level at Nilambur is 43 meters and at Sulthan Bathery 878 meters respectively and the terrain between these points are too difficult which require 7 viaducts, 14 major bridges and 21 tunnels. The report says this line would not be economically viable.
But the distance between Sulthan Bathery-Nanjangud stretch is only 72 k.m. and the cost would be Rs.805 crores. This line passes only 10 k.m. through the Forest. The survey propose 30 over bridges in this stretch to address environmental problem and a sum of Rs.393 crores has been set apart for the over bridges out of Rs 805 crores.

Environment and law

There are several rulings of High courts and Supreme Court that forest and environmental laws are not applicable to draw railway lines through wild life sanctuary and National parks. Recently Hon’ble supreme court has declined to interfere with the railway line in Rajaji National Park in Uttaraghand and opined that it is desirable to draw railway lines through over bridges or underground passages in National parks (Godavarmman Thirumulpad Vs Union of India 2009 (16) SCC 775) Also see Goa Foundation VS Konkan Railway Corporation (AIR 1992 BOM 471)
At present 4 major roads including 2 N.H.s are reaching to Wayanad and Gudallur from Mysore through forests among which night traffic ban exist in three. If the 72 k.m. Najangod Sulthan Bathery railway is introduced a major portion of traffic from these roads would shift to the railway, which would immaterialize the night traffic ban. So this railway passing through over bridge in the forest would reduce impacts from roads to the forests and also cause reduction of pollution and save environment. Besides railway is the most environmental friendly conveyance in the world.

Land acquisition:

This railway is passing only 12 k.m. through Kerala, out of which major portion through revenue lands. Since this railway passes through the plateau lands in Karnataka no person need to be evicted for this railway.

Developmental prospects, Defense significance and National Integration

Through this railway Mysore is reachable from Sulthan Bathery in 1 hour and Banglore in 3 hours. From all most all parts of Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram Sulthan Bathery is reachable by road in 3 hours. Since Tamilnadu border is just 10 k.m. away from Sulthan Bathery this railway is also going to benefit the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. So this railway would connect 3 states, 3 languages and different cultures and thus contribute to National integration. This railway would cause to the comprehensive development of Wayanad as well as adjoining Chamaraj Nagar, Mysore, Coorg, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and the Nilgiris districts. This railway has a defense significance also since it will provide an access to the army cantonment at Ootty which is 92 k.m. away from Sulthan Bathery.

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At last Kochi metro is picking up some speed as first phase is started in June 2013 and will be completed in 2016. Source says that it will have 22 railway stations over all and it is $950m project which is operated by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. Here is a latest overview image of Kochi Metro.