Belagavi’s Member of Parliament Jagadish Shettar recently met with Union Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnav in Delhi to discuss the long-pending Belagavi-Kittur-Dharwad rail line project. During the meeting, Shettar submitted a detailed letter of appeal highlighting critical issues and urging prompt action.
In his appeal, Shettar emphasized that despite proposals for land acquisition being submitted two years ago, the Karnataka state government has yet to hand over any land to the South Western Railway (SWR) officials. He stressed the necessity of the new railway project and requested the Union Minister to review the situation and direct the state government to expedite the land transfer to the SWR authorities in Hubli, facilitating the project’s swift implementation.
Shettar underscored Belagavi’s significance as an academic and industrial hub, housing institutions such as Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Rani Channamma University (RCU), numerous engineering, medical, and dental colleges, and the prominent KLE Hospital. He also noted the recent remodeling of Belagavi’s railway station, which is now equipped with modern facilities.
The letter included a request for the introduction of several new train services to meet the demands of Belagavi’s residents:
- Belagavi-Bangalore-Belagavi Vande Bharat Express: Morning departure, evening return.
- Belagavi-Pune-Belagavi Vande Bharat Express: Morning departure, evening return.
- Belagavi-Ayodhya JN-Belagavi: Service to facilitate devotees visiting the new Sri Ram Mandir.
- Belagavi-Pandharpur-Belagavi: Daily express for devotees traveling to Pandharpur.
- Extension of Hubli-Kochivelly-Hubli Weekly Express: To include Belagavi, aiding passengers traveling to Kerala.
- Belagavi-Chennai-Belagavi: Daily superfast express.
- Belagavi-Varanasi-Belagavi Express: Fortnightly service.
- Belagavi-Jodhpur-Belagavi Express: Fortnightly service.
Various issues regarding the comprehensive development of Belagavi district, including these transportation improvements, were discussed in detail with the Union Minister.