Belagavi
MP Jagadish Shettar held a meeting with the General Manager of Hubli South Western Railway (SWR) and senior railway officials to discuss key rail infrastructure projects in the Belagavi region. The progress of the Belagavi-Kittur-Dharwad new railway line project was reviewed, and Shettar urged for construction work to begin soon, stressing the need to improve connectivity.
The extension of the Bangalore-Dharwad Vande Bharat train service to Belagavi was also discussed. Shettar highlighted the successful operation of the Pune-Belagavi-Hubli Vande Bharat service and noted there were no technical hurdles in extending the Bangalore-Dharwad service. He pushed for its quick implementation.
A survey for a new rail link to Savadatti, aimed at improving access to the Sri Renuka Yellamma Devi temple, was proposed. Shettar also advocated for a new Konkan railway link connecting Belagavi to Sawantwadi and for the completion of the Belagavi-Kolhapur line to boost connectivity in the region.
Concerns over the planned discontinuation of the Belagavi-Miraj passenger train by the end of September were raised, and Shettar requested an extension of the service for public convenience. He also called for the Hubli-Kochuveli train to be extended to Belagavi and proposed new routes, including Belagavi-Pandharpur, Hubli-Belagavi-Shirdi-Kopargaon, Belagavi-Jodhpur, and Belagavi-Mumbai.
Shettar further requested a halt for the Mysore-Ajmer Express at Ghataprabha station and demanded the construction of four pit lines at Desur railway station to meet the region’s growing railway needs. He emphasized the importance of prompt action on these projects to enhance regional connectivity and support economic development.
