Title - ‘Real unification of Karnataka has begun’

“We have laid out time-bound programmes to provide rail connectivity to all district headquarters in the State,” M. Mallikarjun Kharge, Railway Minister, said here on Sunday.“Bidar, Kodagu and Chikmagalur are the three districts that do not have proper rail connectivity. We will connect them to the State capital or the nearest big cities by laying lines or starting new trains,” he said. “Today we have flagged off a direct train between Bidar and Bangalore. I feel the real unification of Karnataka has started.”

Awaiting clearance

Work on the Chikmagalur-Kadur line is complete and awaiting certification. “Once cleared, we will be able to run trains in 20 days,” he said. This line will be connected to the Kadur-Hassan line. The Railways plans to run trains between Hassan and Bangalore. In this way, Chikmagalur and Hassan will be connected to Bangalore, he said.A new line would be taken up between Mysore and Kushal Nagar in Coorg district with contribution from the State government.“The Railways plans to connect Hyderabad Karnataka to other regions in the State,” Mr. Kharge said.

A direct train between Hubli and Gulbarga will be run, by adjusting the timings of other trains running between the two regions. “Our officials are studying the matter.” Work will start on the new line between Wadi and Gadag that will connect Mumbai Karnataka to Hyderabad Karnataka, Mr. Kharge added. “We have forwarded the survey and other documents to the Planning Department. A detailed project report has been prepared and work is expected to start by next year,” he said.

He said the Railways had released Rs. 60 crore to the Bidar-Gulbarga line this year.

“We increased it fivefold, to ensure speedy implementation. We expect the State government to release a similar amount so that work will be speeded up. If that happens, almost a third of the project cost of Rs. 450 crore will be released for the project,” he said. Work on the bridge over Bennethora, and a tunnel at Maragutti, has started, he said.

He reiterated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s request to people to reduce the purchase of gold to stabilise the Indian currency.

‘Railways plans to connect Hyderabad Karnataka to other regions’

Rs. 60 crore was released for the Gulbarga-Bidar

rail line this year:

Kharge