Karnataka’s Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil recently led a review meeting with South Western Railway officials to evaluate the progress of key railway projects funded in part by the central government. The discussion centered on overcoming challenges such as land acquisition issues affecting crucial projects, including Gadag-Wadi, Dharwad-Belagavi, Tumkuru-Davanagere, and Tumkuru-Rayadurga.
Patil reached out to various officials, including Ministers Priyank Kharge, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Santosh Lad, and the Deputy Commissioners of Davanagere and Haveri, as well as senior representatives from Krishna Jala Bhagya Nigam. He urged them to resolve project-specific problems in their districts and announced plans to meet with Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna.
The review also addressed the 242 km double track between Gadag-Hotgi, the 45 km double track between Bagalkote and Kudachi, small bridge issues in the Almatti backwater region, delays in launching the Vande Bharat train to Vijayapura, and infrastructure problems at Hubballi South Railway Station. Patil noted that resolving these issues could reduce travel time from Bengaluru to Vijayapura to around 10 hours, potentially improving travel efficiency and reducing the need for engine changes.
