By Viju Mangalore - Daijiworld.com Mangalore
Mangalore, Jun 11: Well begun is half done. But the hallmark of development projects in India seems to be strictly adhering to the unwritten adage – All begun well is half done (incomplete).
Development is measured with the yardstick of GDP, economic progress, infrastructure etc. Infrastructure here is of primary importance and thus one can find hundreds of new projects being initiated day in and out by the government.
Among the list of slow-paced projects and those that have stalled is the parallel railway line between Mangalore and Kasargod. The progress of this project has made the Palghat Division a laughingstock.
It was in the 1995 that work of laying a parallel track was begun. All was progressing well until the laying of the new track crossed the Kerala border and stepped into Mangalore.
It’s 10 years since the inception of the project and the work has not been complete. One may be astonished and equally annoyed to know that the work has stalled for the third time.
The benefits of this parallel line were tremendous. Once the line is operational, goods trains can ply on regular schedules. A link to the Konkan Railway and Southern railway would also increase revenue to the railway board.
Now for the third halt the officials blame it on the contractors.
Loss in money earmarked for completion of the project, loss due to the non-completion of the project and loss as the new line is not operational. It’s indeed a bitter experience for the railway board.
In the second phase of this new railway line is the construction of a bridge over the Netravati River, which has stopped halfway.
According to officials from the railway department the contractors have left the work incomplete. Other sources told Daijiworld that the contract was given to a third party. Following suit, the third contractor too has stalled the work.
Its been over 8 months that the labourers have deserted the bridge construction and the orphan structures stand mute witness to the apathy of the project.
History repeats. Legal action against the contractors......Withdrawal of the earlier tender .......... retendering....and anther contractor
Will the project ever complete? There is no saying.