Title - Rail line doubling work to begin on September 8

Union Minister for Railways M. Mallikarjun Kharge will be formally inaugurating the work on doubling of rail line between Hosadurga Road and Chikjajur Junction at a function on September 8 at 12.30 p.m. at Sri Siddarameshwar PU College in Mallappanahalli of Hosadurga taluk. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will preside over the function.According to sources, once completed, the project will give the much-needed boost to the growth of the region, besides providing relief to commuters. The Hosadurga Road-Chikjajur Junction is a part of the Bangalore-Arsikere-Birur-Davangere-Hubli route of South Western Railway, which was originally a meter gauge line, constructed in 1889 by the then Mysore State Railways and converted later into broad gauge during 1994-95.The traffic on the Arsikere-Chikjajur route got saturated as the line capacity utilisation exceeded expectations, prompting the Railways to double the Arsikere and Chikjajur lines, in phases. The doubling of rail line between Arsikere and Ajjampura has already been completed and the work on Ajjampura-Hosadurga stretch, which is in the advanced stage, is likely to be completed this year.The doubling of Hosadurga Road-Chikjajur Junction rail line is the last phase of the Arsikere-Chikjajur doubling project. The detailed project of doubling the Hosadurga Road-Chikjajur Junction line comprising 29.65 km and estimated to cost Rs. 203.4 crore, was sanctioned by Mr. Kharge in July this year. The doubling work is expected to be completed in about two and half years, according to sources.

After the completion of Hosadurga Road-Chikjajur Junction doubling work, the Arsikere-Chikjajur route will become very prominent as it will connect the mining areas of Karnataka with Mangalore port and facilitate movement of petroleum products from Hassan to north Karnataka and central India. As part of this project, new railway station buildings are being constructed at Hosadurga, Chikjajur, Ramgiri and Halalkere.

The project will also ensure elimination of 11 unmanned and two manned level-crossings and enhance safety of road and rail-users. All stations would be provided with electronic interlocking system to further improve safety in train services.

It has been planned to provide platforms and Chikjajur station building with solar lighting facility, according to sources.

Mallikarjun Kharge will formally launch the scheme at Mallappanahalli

The work is expected to be completed in two and half years