Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, announced that the Belagavi-Hubballi railway line project, long envisioned by the late Belagavi MP Suresh Angadi, will be completed in two years as a “gift” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Belagavi. Speaking after a meeting with railway and district officials at the Belagavi DC office on Thursday, Somanna stated that the tender process would commence in March, and construction is expected to finish within 18 to 20 months. Initial project estimates were around ₹927 crore, though costs have since risen due to delays in land acquisition.
The 73-km line requires 828 acres—600 acres in Belagavi and 228 acres in Dharwad. So far, 444 acres have been acquired in Belagavi, with the remaining land expected to be handed over by January/February 2025. In Dharwad, 42 acres are yet to be acquired, and Somanna noted that discussions with Dharwad’s in-charge minister Santosh Lad are underway to resolve this. With a joint survey completed and boundaries set, railway stations have also been finalized. The minister commended Belagavi DC Mohammad Roshan for his proactive role in facilitating land acquisition and assured that all Belagavi railway projects would be finished in the next three years.
New Vande Bharat Train and Additional Railway Demands
Somanna also revealed that a Vande Bharat train service between Belagavi and Bengaluru would begin soon. Addressing demands for a Lokapur-Dharwad line via Savadatti, he promised further discussions.
Despite Belagavi’s size, only 7 of its 15 taluks currently have rail access, prompting calls from residents for expanded railway connectivity to boost local commutes and economic growth. The district’s railway heritage dates back to the British era with the Londa-Belagavi line opened in 1887, but extensions have been limited. With new railway projects, including a Savadatti-Belagavi line, gaining momentum, South Western Railway’s Chief PR Officer Anish Hegde emphasized aligning these developments with commercial activity in the area.
Rajya Sabha MP Iranna Kadadi highlighted efforts to complete land acquisition for the Belagavi-Dharwad line via Kittur within two months. He stressed the need for expanding Belagavi’s rail network, improving stations, and prioritizing double tracking and electrification to advance regional rail infrastructure and enhance travel options.
