D’gere–C’durga railway line completion targeted for June 2027: V Somanna

Pic: Union state railway minister V Somanna inspected the new railway track from Tolahunase to Bharamasagar on Thursday. MP Prabha Mallikarjun and other officers were present Davanagere/Chitradurga: The direct railway line between Davanagere and Chitradurga was expected to be completed by the end of June 2027, and contractors were urged to expedite the work.Union minister of State for Railways V Somanna said several routes, including Davanagere–Chitradurga–Tumakuru, Rayadurga–Tumakura and Gadag–Wadi, were to be completed by the end of December 2027 and made available for public service.On Thursday, after reviewing the progress of new railway projects near Hampanur village in Bharamasagara hobli of Chitradurga taluk, minister V Somanna expressed dissatisfaction with the physical progress, saying only about 8%–9% of the work was completed so far. He said the goal was to complete the railway line up to Bharamasagara by January 2027 and up to Chitradurga by June 2027, and open it for train operations.He instructed engineers to prioritise quality work and said the commencement of the route was expected to boost economic and industrial development in the districts in Central Karnataka. "I will review progress through video conferences with officials every month," he added.Minister Somanna said the special land acquisition officer must complete the land acquisition process required for the railway project, and said no land acquisition process should be pending on the 28 km railway line between Bharamasagara and Chitradurga. He said minor issues should be resolved promptly and unnecessary delays avoided.In Davanagere, the construction of the direct railway line from Davanagere–Chitradurga–Tumakuru progressed rapidly, with track installation completed up to Hebbal village in the taluk, and there were plans to run a passenger train between Tolahunse and Aanagodu starting in July, according to Union minister of state for railways V Somanna.He also spoke at a public meeting held at the Aanagodu railway station in the taluk on Thursday."The direct railway line will be operational by Dec 2027. If trains do not run on the already constructed tracks, it could cause issues. A passenger train will be operated every 20 km between major completed sections," he stated.The minister said a technical expert team from the railway department will inspect the tracks, and a decision regarding train operations will be made thereafter. Maintaining the newly constructed railway stations in good condition is a challenge. The responsibility to prevent illegal activities at night lies with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and local police must also cooperate, he added.