South Western Railway Cancels Mysuru-Kushalnagar Railway Line Project
South Western Railway officials confirmed on Tuesday that they have abandoned the proposed Mysuru-Kushalnagar railway line. The decision comes after a thorough assessment revealed poor financial viability and insufficient traffic potential for the 87-kilometer route.
Financial Viability and Traffic Concerns
Officials stated that the project will not proceed due to inadequate expected passenger and freight traffic. "The project was cancelled after assessments indicated that traffic on this route would be minimal, leading to negative returns," said an SWR official. Financial evaluations showed negative returns on investment for both proposed lines.
The Mysuru-Kushalnagar railway line was initially sanctioned in the 2018-19 period. The final location survey tender was awarded in June 2022. Originally estimated to cost Rs 1,800 crore, the projected expenses had risen significantly since approval.
Land Acquisition and Environmental Opposition
The railway line would have required the acquisition of nearly 1,379 acres of land. This requirement sparked strong local opposition from residents and environmentalists. They raised serious concerns about land acquisition processes and potential environmental damage.
Originally conceived to provide rail connectivity to Kodagu district, the project faced substantial resistance from the beginning. The opposition created significant hurdles for the initiative's progress.
State Government's Position
In June 2025, V Somanna, Minister of State for Railways, indicated that Karnataka showed no interest in pursuing the Mysuru-Kushalnagar line. He confirmed that Karnataka formally communicated its lack of interest to the Ministry of Railways regarding both the Mysuru-Kushalnagar and Hejjala-Chamarajanagar railway projects.
The SWR official explained that while the final location survey was complete and the Detailed Project Report was being prepared, progress depended entirely on the state government acquiring and transferring land to the Railways free of cost. Given the widespread opposition, this scenario appeared highly unlikely.
Alternative Infrastructure Development
Meanwhile, the Mysuru-Kushalnagar access-controlled greenfield expressway is already underway. This project is likely to be completed by March 2027 with an estimated cost of Rs 4,128 crore.
The expressway will begin at Paschima Vahini near Srirangapatna. It will also cater to travelers from Bengaluru, allowing them to bypass Mysuru to reach Kushalnagar directly. This alternative infrastructure development may address some of the connectivity needs that the railway line was intended to serve.
The cancellation marks a significant shift in transportation planning for the region. It highlights how financial considerations and public opposition can alter major infrastructure projects even after preliminary work has been completed.
