During his visit, Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna addressed the media, highlighting significant infrastructure initiatives being undertaken in Karnataka under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized the government’s commitment to national unity and development, mentioning the collective efforts of leaders like Prahlad Joshi, Iranna Kadadi and Jagadish Shettar.
The minister revealed that over 300 railway overpasses(RoB’s) are currently under construction across Karnataka, including key locations such as Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, and other places. Special attention is being given to longstanding demands, such as the projects in Khanapur, where work has now begun after decades of anticipation.
Minister V. Somanna elaborated on specific projects in Belagavi, including the Tilakwadi Gate 380 – 4th Gate Angol- Railway Over Bridge (ROB), which is slated for completion by 2026 with an investment of ₹21 crore. Another ROB at LC 382 – Second Gate is progressing with a budget of ₹32 crore. He mentioned two important level crossings in Belagavi, one of which involves technical challenges. He stated that after detailed discussions, decisions would be made to resolve the issue effectively.
Additionally, under the Amrit Bharat scheme, Karnataka has increased its stations from 61 to 66, with more than ₹2000 crores invested in modernizing these facilities. In Belagavi, Ghataprabha, Raibag, Chikkodi, and Gokak stations are being upgraded with modern amenities such as escalators and lifts, ensuring better accessibility, including for differently-abled passengers.
The minister further explained that tenders have already been issued for projects connecting Belagavi to Dharwad via Kittur. For land acquisition, Belagavi has achieved 100% acquisition, covering around 1200 acres, while only 40–42 acres are pending. He expressed surprise at the delays, emphasizing that within the legal framework, solutions could be found by depositing 10% and proceeding with the work in coordination between the state and central governments. The minister mentioned that investments totaling ₹937 crores have been made to develop the Belagavi–Dharwad section, including 73 km of important railway connectivity. He assured that as soon as land is handed over, construction would proceed rapidly.
Highlighting long-term development, Minister Sommana noted that since 2014, the Prime Minister has sanctioned nearly ₹2,900 crores for Belagavi district. Key achievements include the completion of doubling the 186 km Londa–Miraj section in 2020, supported by ₹1,900 crores. In 2023, Belagavi Railway Station was upgraded with an investment of ₹193 crores, ensuring better facilities and enabling trains to stop smoothly.