Belagavi MP, Jagadish Shettar, held a crucial meeting today with the General Manager of Hubli South Western Railway (SWR) and senior officials of the Railway Department. The meeting focused on several key rail infrastructure projects for the Belagavi region.
During the discussions, Shettar reviewed the progress of the Belagavi -Kittur-Dharwad new railway line project and urged authorities to expedite the commencement of construction. He emphasized the importance of beginning work soon to enhance connectivity in the region.
A major point of discussion was the extension of the Bangalore-Dharwad Vande Bharat train service to Belagavi. Drawing attention to the successful operation of the Pune-Belagavi -Hubballi Vande Bharat train, Shettar argued that there were no technical obstacles in extending the Bangalore-Dharwad service to Belagavi and pushed for its swift implementation.
Shettar also proposed a survey for a new rail link to Savadatti, aiming to improve access to the Sri Renuka Ellamma Devi temple, a popular pilgrimage site. Additionally, he advocated for a new Konkan railway link connecting Belgaum to Sawantwadi and a completed Belgaum-Kolhapur line to enhance regional connectivity.
Concerned about the pending discontinuation of the Belagavi -Miraj passenger train service by the end of September, Shettar requested the extension of the service for the convenience of the public. He also called for the Hubli-Kochuveli train to be extended to Belgaum and demanded new routes, including Belagavi -Pandharpur, Hubli-Belagavi-Shirdi-Kopargaon, Belagavi-Jodhpur, and Belagavi -Mumbai.
In addition to new routes, Shettar requested a halt for the Mysore-Ajmer Express at Ghataprabha railway station and sought updates on the development of Ghataprabha and Gokak Road stations under the Prime Minister’s Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Highlighting local infrastructure needs, Shettar demanded the construction of four pit lines at Desur railway station near Belagavi to facilitate the region’s growing railway demands.
The meeting concluded with Shettar stressing the need for prompt action on these projects to boost connectivity and support economic growth in the Belagavi region.