Karur - Dindigul Lines
147. SHRI K. GOPAL: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether a survey tor Karur- Dindigul broad gauge line is being done again with a view to start the construction; and
(b) if so, when Government propose to take up the work?
THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (PROF. MADHU DANDAVATE): (a) A survey has recently been ordered for re-assessment of the traffic prospects and updating the cost of the conversion to BG of Tuticorin- Dindigul MG line along with Karur-Dindigul new BG link.
(b) Decision regarding construction of the line will be taken after completion of the survey and evaluation of its results.
SHRI K. GOPAL: The Minister’s reply is just like an ice candy to a crying baby. It is a blatant discrimination towards South. How many branch lines you have given to South India? So far, how many surveys have bean conducted on this Karur-Dindigul line? What happened to those surveys? When do you propose to complete the present survey?
PROF. MADHU DANDAVATE: Firstly, I do not treat the hon. Member as a crying child. I treat him as a mature person and I have always treated him like that.
As far as the survey is concerned, the last survey conducted in 1968 showed that at that time it was found out that the return was less than 10 per cent,but after the formation of the new Government and particularly after meeting the Delegation, Hon. Member Shri Gopal was one of them, I felt that a reappraisal of the kt sur-very is neeassary because of certain development near Tuticorin port and new traffic that is likely to be developed in view of the cement factories that have come up and therefore, in the Supplementary Grants which have been accepted by this House only in the last Session, already a reappraisal survey has been accepted, the necessary sanction has been made. I have made a further constructive suggestion to see how best this particular route will become more viable with this idea in view, I have convinced the Delegation that rather than the diversion upto Trichinopoly they wated, I am suggesting some other route by which the route is likely to be more viable. I can assure the House that if the results of the survey are good, with their goodwill and my good offices, we will be able to deliver the goods.
SHRI K. GOPAL: Sir, the reply to a part of my question—How long it will take to complete the survey? I think he will add it in his reply now.I would like to know this from him. The proposal was to link up Salem with Tuticorin. The steel plant that is coming up adds to the importance of Tuticorin which I do not have to tell you. As a part of it this Karur- Dindigul broad gauge line, new construction, as well as the Dindigul- Tuticorin line is for conversion of metre guage into broad guaj£ I would like to know whether he received any memorandum M.Ps. of all parties from Tamil Nadu and what action he has taken on that.
PROF. MADHU DANDAVATE: As far as the earlier part is concerned, he says that I have not explajned as to when the survey will be completed. Our normal experience i am saying 'normal' experience is that within two seasons the survey is generally completed, and I hope—
SHRI K GOPAL: What is the season?
PROF. MADHU DANDAVATE; A season is a season
SHH| K. GOPAL: In out part of the country there is no seasons you apply to to the northern part of the country.
SHRI RAGAVALU MOHANARANGAM: There are three seasons in Tamil Nadu—hot, hotter and hottest!
PROF. MABHU DANDAVATE: Iam sorry if he has misunderstood about the season. I am referring to the financial year, excluding of course the period when it is the raining season. Otherwise the rest 0f the portion of the year is utilised. I may assure the House that the survey will be expedited.
As far as the other suggestions are concerned, I do concede that a memorandum has been received, but I have been able to convince a number of friends from Tamil Nadu and other places that while constructing a particular line, the entire work is to be organised in such manner that our communications with the metre gauge in other parts, for instance, traffic on the-metre gauge coming from Madras, and traffc on the metre gauge coming from Olavakkot, s not disturbed and therefore, there will be certain sections of this line which will have to be both metre gauge and broad gauge; not merely conversion but in addition to small metre gauge track, there will have to be broad gauge . track, and if this is done we shall reduce the number of transhipment points and that will be more helpful to the region to which the Hon’ble Membef belongs. I think you are fully satisfied.
MR SPEAKERR: I think everybody is stftiafted,
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