§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary for India whether the Government of India proposes to construct a branch line from Salur, in the Visagapatam district, up the Eastern Ghauts to the plateau of Jeypore, Visagapatam; whether he is aware that the proposed extension of the Bengal Nagpore Railway from Dumberi to Jagdalpore and Kotpad will not benefit the extensive upland region of Jeypore, now bereft of railway communication, the produce of which cannot stand the long lead by rail to Bombay and Calcutta by way of Dumberi and Raipur, but will continue to use the cart road down the Ghauts to Salur and on to the port of Bimlipatam or Visagapatam; whether he is aware that the traffic of this branch has been estimated by local authorities to be more than sufficient to justify the construction of the proposed branch and of a harbour at Visagapatam; whether he is aware that such harbour would serve as a port of refuge for vessels of the Royal Navy as well as for those of the mercantile marine, no such harbour now existing north of Colombo; and whether the 2688W Government, in consideration of these circumstances, will move the Governments of India and Madras to construct the branch from Salur to Jeypore with the aid of the chief zemindars and others concerned?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI understand that representations have been made to the Government of India as to the desirability of the provision of a light railway from Salur to the Bastar country, but the Secretary of State has received no communication from the Government of India on the subject. The question of the construction of a harbour at Visagapatam is under consideration.