Karnataka Minister for Infrastructure Development M.B. Patil has directed Dr. R. Vishal, Secretary of the Infrastructure Development Department, to personally visit Mummigatti near Dharwad to address lingering land acquisition issues and fast-track the direct Dharwad–Belagavi railway line project.
The directions were issued on Tuesday during a high-level review meeting at Khanija Bhavan concerning the progress of ongoing railway, airport, and other infrastructure developments across the state.
Highlighting the specific bottlenecks, Minister Patil noted that land acquisition near Mummigatti in Dharwad district has slowed down the construction of the proposed direct rail link.
He instructed Secretary R. Vishal to visit the site immediately, conduct discussions with local landowners, and resolve their concerns to ensure the project stays on a fast track.
Project Overview: Dharwad–Belagavi Direct Rail Line
The 73.10 km greenfield railway project aims to transform connectivity between two major commercial and educational hubs in North Karnataka:
- Distance & Travel Time Reduction: The direct line via Kittur will shorten the distance between Dharwad and Belagavi by 31+ km. Travel times are expected to drop dramatically from the current ~3 hours (which routes circuitously via Londa Junction and Khanapur) to under 1 hour.
- Project Cost & Funding: Sanctioned as a 50:50 cost-sharing joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and the Government of Karnataka, with the state providing required land free of cost. Initial estimates stood at ₹927.4 crore, though project delays have pushed revised estimates higher.
- Land Requirement: Approximately 1,430 acres (~531 hectares) across Dharwad and Belagavi districts.
- Route & Key Stations: The route features 11 stations: Dharwad, Kyarakoppa, Mummigatti, Teguru, Kittur, Hulikatti, M.K. Hubballi, Bagewadi, Kanvikarvinkoppa, Desur, and Belagavi.
- Regional & Industrial Impact: Provides direct rail connectivity to historic towns like Kittur, M.K. Hubballi, and Bailhongal while boosting logistics for the upcoming Belagavi–Kittur–Dharwad industrial corridor.
