It is said that this decision was made based on the various factors such as that the Tokai-do route would put the railway in unfavorable competition against the already developed and cheaper marine transport, whereas, building the railway along the mountains could lead to a plan for the new regional development in those areas.
これは、東海道ルートで建設した場合、既に海運が発達していたために競争となって運賃の高い鉄道は不利であり、逆に山沿いで建設すれば新たな地域開発も図れるという点から決定されたといわれている。