Madikeri: At a time when the residents and Green Groups of Kodagu are vehemently opposing the two Railway Lines (Thalassery-Mysuru via South Kodagu and Hunsur-Periyapatna-Kushalnagar-Madikeri-Mangaluru) cutting across the green and ecologically sensitive district, a new office of the South Western Railway (SWR) is coming up at Madikeri. The construction has raised the hackles of Green Groups and they have called for immediate intervention by Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha.

The works on constructing the building that belongs to National Railway Development Project is being carried out at a brisk pace at Stone Hill and one acre of land has been acquired for the purpose. The place has been excavated and pillars are being constructed for a sturdy foundation. According to engineers, the works will be completed by April or May.

The building will be spread across 5,500 sqft and will include facilities for vehicle parking, underground space and a plush office that will include office and residential complex for employees. The construction is being closely monitored by the Railway Civil Engineering Wing.

A big signboard has been put up at the spot indicating that the land is owned by the South Western Railway and trespassers would be prosecuted.

It may be recalled here that 10 to 15 years back, the same Stone Hill location had housed a Micro Tower and a Control Room that would monitor the running time-table of trains plying in Southern areas of the country.  Over 3.8-acre area had been used by the Control Room.

When the Railways modernised its infrastructure and coaches, the Control Room was rendered defunct and it was shifted from Madikeri. Later, the 3.8-acre land that was handed over to the Railways by the State Government was reclaimed by the State.

Now the Office is being constructed after the Railway Ministry announced projects that will pass through Kodagu district connecting Mysuru and Kushalnagar. The Railway Department then communicated to the State Government about the need of the land and accordingly, the Kodagu District Administration granted one acre of land under Survey Number 460/1P.

The land has been sanctioned to the SWR and even the title deed has been handed over. In turn, the Railway authorities have paid the specified price for the land as per government rates.

With the construction of a new Office, the Railways is all set to enter the otherwise serene district. This is in spite of a series of assurance from the Kodagu District In-Charge Minister M.R. Seetharam that Railway lines will not be constructed across Kodagu.

The construction of National Railway Development Project building has enraged the environmental groups who have opposed the rail projects which will further destroy the district that has already been ravaged by indiscriminate development.