Somanna urges Karnataka govt to reconsider dropped railways projects
Mysuru: Union minister of state for railways V Somanna, on Sunday urged Karnataka govt to reconsider its decision to drop the Chamarajanagar–Hejjala and Mysuru–Kushalnagar railway projects.
Following a review meeting with Mysuru division railway officials, Somanna said he wrote to the state urging it to take up both projects and plans to personally follow up with chief minister Siddaramaiah in the next 15 days.
"State govt earlier returned both proposals citing an inability to implement them," the Union minister said. "I've since written requesting a reconsideration. I also spoke to Chamarajanagar MP Sunil Bose and Mysuru district minister HC Mahadevappa, but there has been no progress so far.
I will increase pressure and ensure that these projects are approved at the earliest. Developmental initiatives should go beyond party lines.
"
On electrification progress between Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, he said only a 1.2km stretch near Kadakola, close to Mysuru airport, remains incomplete. He said this is due to "technical challenges".
"We are working on obtaining an online NOC, and once cleared, that final stretch will be completed soon.
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Across the country, 99% of electrification is complete, and we aim to reach 100% by the end of the year," he said.
Additionally, Somanna announced that Union govt sanctioned Rs 200 crore for the Yadgir Railway coach factory expansion, where currently only 50 employees are working.
Somanna emphasised the importance of timely project execution, high-quality construction standards, and enhanced passenger amenities.
He expressed satisfaction with the current pace of work and reaffirmed the central govt's commitment to improving regional connectivity.
He praised chief minister Siddaramaiah for his cooperation in land acquisition matters, which enabled significant railway infrastructure progress in Karnataka. "Karnataka is seeing the implementation of 13 major projects worth around Rs 39,000 crore, including the Rayadurga–Tumakuru, Tumakuru–Davanagere, Kuduchi–Gadag, and Gadag–Wadi lines," he said. "Under the Viksit Bharat initiative, a greenfield corridor is being planned in Tumakuru, which will connect major factories directly via rail.
This move is expected to drastically reduce transportation costs—from Rs 13/km by road to Rs 6–7/km by rail."
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