Hassan-Mangalore Rail Development Corporation (a Special Purpose Vehicle) to bear the Capital Cost of the project, while Railways to bear the staff cost.  Project will increase track capacity marginally as it allows trains from both directions to move on the main line

Hassan-Mangalore Rail Development Company Ltd

Mysore (MYS):  The South Western Railway is planning to construct sidings as a workaround to tackle the issue of increasing capacity on the Mangalore–Hassan route, said Rajkumar Lal, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysore.

A layout has been prepared and surveys have been done to construct sidings.

Mr. Lal said, however, the Commissioner of Rail Safety has to give permission to allow the construction. This will cost between Rs. 9 crore and Rs. 12 crore. The Hassan-Mangalore Rail Development Corporation, a special purpose vehicle (SPV), will bear the capital cost and the Railways will bear the cost of staff.

He said the route has limited capacity as any expansion on the tracks was difficult and expensive because of the hilly terrain. Getting space of even a kilometre is tough as it requires cutting through the hills, which means high capital costs. At present, 10 pairs of trains can move on the route, he said.