Works on Gadag-Wadi, Bagalkot-Kudachi railway lines expedited: MB Patil
Bagalkot: Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil delivered promising updates on two crucial railway projects in North Karnataka during a comprehensive review meeting on Wednesday. With a commitment to the region's connectivity and development, Patil announced that significant strides have been made in the construction of the Gadag-Wadi and Bagalkot-Kudachi railway lines.
The Gadag-Wadi railway, spanning 257 kilometers and with an estimated cost of Rs 1,922 crore, is progressing steadily. The project is being undertaken based on the cost-sharing agreement of 50% between the state government and the Railway department. Of the required 4,002 acres of land, 3,945 acres have already been handed over, with the remaining 57 acres set to become available within the next month.
Between Gadag and Talakal the track is already in place. Works have been completed up to Hanumapura along the 57-kilometer stretch from Talakal to Kushtagi.
According to Patil, works up to Kushtagi are scheduled for completion by March 2024, followed by trial runs. Concurrently, work is in progress between Wadi and Shorapura on the opposite end of the route.
In response to Yelburga MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy's suggestion to prioritize construction quality, Minister Patil instructed railway officials present at the meeting to rigorously adhere to quality standards. He emphasized the importance of conducting quality tests through inspection teams deployed to various work sites. Furthermore, Patil directed officials to ensure that the project remains on schedule and not to permit any delays beyond the March 2026 deadline.
In tandem with the Gadag-Wadi project, the Bagalkot-Kudachi railway, spanning 142 kilometers and estimated at Rs 1,530 crores, is on track for transformation.
Of the requisite 2,496 acres of land, 2,476 acres have already been allocated, with the remaining 20 acres expected to be provided shortly. Project works are set to conclude by December 2025.
Specifically, construction covering approximately 60 kilometers from Bagalakot to Khachchidoni to Lokapura will be finalized by March 2024, paving the way for train operations to commence. Simultaneously, work between Kuduchi and Jagadal is poised to commence soon.
MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy and MLC Prakash Hukkeri commended the minister's dedication to these two vital railway projects.
Koppal MP Karadi Sanganna, Lingasaguru MLA Manappa Vajjal, Railway officials, and Infrastructure Development ACS Gourav Gupta were present. Belagavi and Bagalkot Deputy Commissioners attended the meeting via video conference.
