Belagavi Member of Parliament and former Karnataka Chief Minister, Jagadish Shettar, held a comprehensive review meeting on Monday with the General Manager of South Western Railway (SWR), Shri K. Ananth, and other senior officials.
The meeting focused on the progress of various railway infrastructure projects vital to the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency.
Key updates from the meeting include:
1. Belagavi-Kittur-Dharwad New Rail Line
The highly anticipated 73-km rail link via Kittur faced discussions regarding significant delays. Railway officials informed the MP that the Karnataka state government has yet to hand over the necessary land to the SWR.
- Land Status: Approximately 1,430 acres have been identified for acquisition.
- The Hurdle: Officials noted that neither the compensation has been fully distributed to farmers nor has the land been officially transferred to the Railways, stalling the commencement of civil works.
- Resolution: MP Shettar assured that he would personally engage with the state government to expedite the land transfer process.
2. New Industrial Rail Route: Belagavi-Gokak-Yadwad
Recognizing the industrial potential of the region, Shettar proposed a 65-km new line connecting Belagavi, Parkanatti, Gokak, and Yadwad.
- Significance: This route serves numerous cement industries and sugar factories.
- Action Plan: The MP directed officials to resubmit the proposal to the Railway Board and promised to discuss the matter with the Union Railway Minister for necessary approvals.
3. Savadatti Temple Connectivity
The MP highlighted the long-standing demand for the Lokapura-Ramdurg-Savadatti-Dharwad line, noting that nearly two crore devotees visit the Shri Renukadevi temple annually.
- A primary survey for this route is estimated to cost ₹70 lakh, and Shettar urged the SWR to follow up with the Railway Board for immediate approval of the survey.
4. PM Amrit Bharat Station Upgrades
Concerns were raised regarding the slow pace of redevelopment at the Belagavi and Ghataprabha railway stations under the PM Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The General Manager instructed his team to accelerate the works to ensure timely completion of the modern passenger amenities.
5. New Train Services: Bengaluru-Mumbai and Goa
Commuters can look forward to significantly improved connectivity:
- Bengaluru-Mumbai Express: A new service via Belagavi is awaiting final clearance from the Ministry. Once operational, the journey between the two metros via Belagavi is expected to take approximately 23 hours.
- Secunderabad/Hyderabad Service: Officials confirmed that rail connectivity between Belagavi and Charlapally (Hyderabad/Secunderabad) is being prioritized.
- Belagavi-Goa Line: In response to public demand, Shettar urged the introduction of a new train service between Belagavi, Londa, and Goa.
6. Alternate Terminals for Belagavi
To de-congest the main Belagavi station, discussions were held on developing Sambra or Desur stations as satellite/alternative terminals for the city. Officials assured that this proposal would be evaluated in the upcoming planning phases.
The meeting concluded with the MP emphasizing that these projects are critical not just for passenger comfort, but for the economic and industrial growth of the entire North Karnataka region.
