New Delhi: Even as people of Kodagu are vehemently opposing the two Railway lines (Thalassery-Mysuru via South Kodagu and Hunsur-Periyapatna-Kushalnagar-Madikeri-Mangaluru), Member of Parliament Pratap Simha, speaking to Star of Mysore this morning said that he had met Railway Minister Piyush Goyal regarding the Railway line and the Minister informed him that the Centre has not approved the Railway line.  

“I just met Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Rajesh Aggarwal, Executive Director Joint Venture, Railways regarding the “said” nod from Central Govt for Thalassery-Mysuru Railway line via South Kodagu and expressed my opposition. Well, no approval has been given,” Pratap Simha said.

Earlier reports said that the Union Government has accorded in-principle approval to the long-pending 240-km-long Thalassery-Mysuru rail line project at an estimated cost of Rs. 5,052 crore.

“Recently, Kerala Transport Minister met the Railway Minister with four proposals and the Centre has not approved Thalassery-Mysuru Railway Line via South Kodagu. In fact, this line was proposed during United Progressive alliance’s (UPA) 2012-13 Budget and Karnataka Road Development Corporation was given the responsibility to do the viability survey and Detailed Project Report. Since it’s a joint venture, both Kerala and Karnataka governments have to approve the project,” he said.

“Kerala Chief Secretary has spoken to Karnataka Chief Secretary regarding this line and the joint venture. But Karnataka govt has not said “NO” to this project. I request Chief Minister of Karnataka to say no to Kerala Chief Secretary and write a letter to Railway Minister and I will do the rest. Even otherwise, we will not let this happen,” he said.

Later, Pratap Simha tweeted his meeting with Piyush Goyal.

Protest in Mysuru

Meanwhile, Coorg Wildlife Society President Col. (retd.) C.P. Muthanna told reporters in Bengaluru this morning that they would go ahead with the protest on Feb. 18 in Mysuru opposing the Railway line.