KPCC Spokesperson Exposes Financial Unviability of Mysuru-Kushalnagar Rail Project
In a significant development from Madikeri, KPCC spokesperson M Lakshmana disclosed on Saturday that the railway department has officially disapproved the long-pending Mysuru-Kushalnagar rail line project, citing financial unviability. This announcement comes amidst escalating political tensions over the stalled infrastructure initiative.
Disputing BJP MP's Claims on Project Delay
Lakshmana strongly contested the assertions made by Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, who had previously attributed the project's delay to sluggish land acquisition by the state government. "The BJP MP unnecessarily dragged the state government into this issue," Lakshmana stated emphatically, clarifying that the core problem lies elsewhere.
He elaborated that the railway line was initially proposed back in 2014, and over the subsequent 11 years, the projected costs have skyrocketed to approximately Rs 3,100 crore. "The reality is that the railway withdrew this project because the expected revenue did not materialize from its implementation," Lakshmana explained, citing confirmation from Mysuru divisional railway manager Mudit Mittal.
State Government's Land Acquisition Efforts
Countering the narrative of state government inefficiency, Lakshmana highlighted that the authorities had successfully completed the acquisition of 1,379 acres of land required for the project. This accomplishment underscores the administration's commitment to advancing the rail line, despite the eventual financial hurdles identified by the railway department.
Demand for Investigation into Businessman's Suicide
In a related and serious matter, Lakshmana addressed the tragic death of Kerala-based businessman CJ Roy, who died by suicide allegedly due to harassment by Income Tax officials. He urged the state government to take immediate action by:
- Filing a criminal case against the implicated officials
- Conducting a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Roy's death
This call for accountability adds another layer to the spokesperson's critique of current administrative and enforcement practices.
The cancellation of the Mysuru-Kushalnagar rail project marks a significant setback for regional connectivity, while the demand for a probe into the businessman's suicide highlights ongoing concerns about governance and taxpayer treatment. These developments are poised to influence political discourse and public policy in the region.
