Bring Hubballi-Dharwad & Belagavi together for faster growth, says MP Shettar

Hubballi: Former CM and Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar on Tuesday said Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities were among the most developed cities in the state and Belagavi too was well-developed. He suggested that if Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi were brought together as a ‘triple city', it could accelerate development in the region.Shettar was speaking after inaugurating a Logistics Summit, held as part of Incomex 2026—an industries and commerce exhibition organised by the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)—at the APMC premises here.He said efforts were under way to establish a direct Dharwad-Belagavi rail route, and meetings were being held with railway officials. Shettar said 1,700 acres of land had been acquired for the proposed rail connection from Hubballi to Belagavi via Kittur, but compensation was pending from the state government. In Dharwad, he said 240 acres had been acquired out of 300 acres required."If the state releases the compensation immediately, work can begin in six to seven months," he said, adding that a direct rail link would further boost development.Shettar also lauded KCCI office-bearers for their active role and programmes, and suggested the chamber hold an event once every two months at the Multipurpose Exhibition Centre.MLC Pradeep Shettar, HDMC corporator Mallikarjuna Gundur, KCCI Hubballi president G K Adappagoudar, Incomex chairman Mahadeva Karamari, Udaya Revanakar, Praveen Agadi, Prakash Sringeri, Jayaprakash Tenginakai, Siddeshwar Kammar, and others were present.