New Delhi/Bengaluru: In a significant initiative to bolster rail infrastructure in Karnataka, the Railway Board has approved the final location surveys for two new railway lines under the South Western zone, as announced on Thursday.
According to a press release from the board, the first proposed line will span 162 kilometers, connecting Almatti and Yadgir, with a sanctioned survey cost of ₹4.05 crore.
The second survey, with a budget of ₹1.825 crore, will cover a 73-kilometer stretch between Bhadravathi and Chikjajur via Channagiri.
In total, these surveys represent an estimated investment of ₹5.875 crore. This initiative marks a crucial first step in the planning and development of key railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity across the state.
The Railway Board highlighted the strategic importance of the Almatti-Yadgir line, which is designed to improve connectivity between northern Karnataka and major economic corridors. Almatti, renowned for its dam and hydroelectric power generation, plays a vital role in the region’s agriculture and energy sectors. Meanwhile, Yadgir serves as a critical junction on the Hyderabad-Mumbai rail corridor.
Enhanced rail connectivity between these two points is expected to stimulate regional trade, improve mobility, and facilitate access to essential resources, the board emphasized.
Similarly, the Bhadravathi-Chikjajur line is poised to strengthen intra-state connectivity in central Karnataka. Bhadravathi, an industrial town known for its steel and paper industries, will gain direct access to Chikjajur, a major railway junction that links various parts of southern Karnataka.
The board noted that this new line is anticipated to support freight movement, foster industrial growth, and enhance passenger connectivity in the region.
