Minister Patil pushes for key Karnataka railway projects

Mangaluru: Focusing on enhancing connectivity and boosting industrial growth in the coastal and northern regions of Karnataka, Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil urged Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna to expedite crucial railway projects in the region.

Patil emphasized the urgency of laying a double track between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, as well as initiating the new railway project connecting Chitradurga, Hosapete, Alamatti, and Vijayapura.

During a progress review meeting held in Bengaluru on Monday, Patil stated that despite having a railway connection to the port city of Mangaluru, the lack of a double track has hindered the transportation of goods and industrial growth.

He also highlighted the need for the construction of a tunnel railway track between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya.

Referring to recent incidents of landslides caused by heavy rains frequently disrupting the railway services between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, Patil urged the Railway Minister to explore the possibility of constructing a tunnel to mitigate this problem.

The Minister called for the approval of the Chitradurga-Hosapete-Koppal-Alamatti-Vijayapura railway project, noting that it would significantly reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Vijayapura, as well as Solapur.

Union Minister V Somanna responded positively, stating that a survey for the route is underway and that a decision on implementing the project would be taken soon.

Patil stressed the importance of the Hubballi-Ankola railway project, which would connect the northern region of Karnataka to the port infrastructure, enhancing the region’s industrial development.

Meanwhile, he explained that with minor adjustments, travel time between Bengaluru and Vijayapura could be reduced by at least four hours. Currently, the journey takes 14 hours, but these improvements could bring it down to 10 hours. He suggested rerouting trains headed for Vijayapura from the Hubballi South Railway Station towards Gadag, bypassing the Hubballi Central Station.

On the Dharwad-Kittur-Belagavi direct railway line, Patil assured Somanna that land acquisition challenges would be swiftly addressed, with discussions involving local representatives to resolve the issues.

Patil further urged for the prioritization of completing the Tumakuru-Davanagere and Tumakuru-Rayadurg projects ahead of schedule, while pushing for the revival of the long-stalled Bidadi-Kanakapura-Chamarajanagar railway line, to which Somanna responded positively, promising that work would soon commence.