KDCCI urges railway link for Kodagu

Madikeri: The Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association (KDCCI) has urged the govt to provide railway connectivity to Kodagu, stating that the project is essential for industrial growth and boosting tourism in the district.Speaking at the inauguration of a one-day awareness programme for industrialists at Kannika Hall in Kushalnagar, KDCCI president BR Nagendra Prasad said the absence of a railway line was affecting the movement of key commodities, especially coffee—the district's primary crop.
He noted that lakhs of tonnes of coffee are exported through Mangaluru, but transportation currently relies entirely on truck services. "During the rainy season, the main road used for transporting coffee is closed for two to three months. A railway line would greatly ease this burden and significantly reduce logistics costs for entrepreneurs," he said.Prasad urged the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) to exert pressure on the Union govt to prioritise the railway project for Kodagu.Addressing the gathering, BK Sudeep Kumar, president of the Kodagu District Small Industries Association, stressed the need for entrepreneurs to familiarise themselves with govt grants, subsidies and support schemes available for establishing industries. He also emphasised maintaining clean and transparent business transactions to build strong relationships with banks.Hanumantharaya, joint director of the District Industrial Centre, and Ninganna S Biradara, vice-president of KASSIA, were present at the event.