Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna performing the bhoomi puja at a foundation stone-laying ceremony at Hagaribommanahall on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna has said that the Centre has sanctioned railway projects worth ₹12,900 crore for the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Speaking after performing the bhoomi puja at a foundation stone-laying ceremony for a road overbridge in place of Level Crossing No 35 at Hagaribommanahall on Sunday, Mr. Somanna said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clear message that politics must be kept out of development works.
“The Central government has taken up railway projects worth ₹12,900 crore in the Kalyana Karnataka region alone,” he said.
The Union Minister pointed out that Karnataka earlier received only about ₹882 crore annually for railway development, but under the Modi government, the allocation has increased to ₹7,500 crore-₹8,000 crore every year.
He said that the enhanced funding has accelerated railway infrastructure projects across the State.
Highlighting major projects, Mr. Somanna said that the Centre approved the Ballari-Chikkajajur double-line railway project in June 2025 at an estimated cost of ₹3,400 crore.
“The project will significantly improve connectivity between mining belts and strengthen the Mangaluru-Hyderabad rail corridor,” he said.
Giving details of works in Vijayapura and Ballari districts, he said that a road overbridge estimated at ₹38.7 crore is being constructed between Gunda Road and Kottur in lieu of Level Crossing No 35 at Hagaribommanahalli, while works at Level Crossings 37 and 38 have also been initiated.
Announcing plans to construct a flyover near the Tungabhadra Dam at Hosapete to ease traffic congestion, he said that the Hosapete-Hampi road (Level Crossing No 85) project, sanctioned at ₹26 crore, is expected to be completed by June this year.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the Hosapete Railway Station is being upgraded at a cost of ₹15.17 crore, with nearly 80% of the works already completed, he added.
The Minister also issued firm instructions to the district authorities to expedite land acquisition required for railway works, including the acquisition of 1 acre and 41 guntas of land needed for the Hampi-Hagaribommanahalli connectivity project.
He urged officials to ensure that all statutory clearances are granted without delay.
Mr. Somanna praised Lok Sabha member from Ballari E. Tukaram for consistently following up railway-related works in New Delhi and lauded his commitment to the region’s development.
“This is not my money or the State’s money. It is the Prime Minister’s money meant for development. We must all work together,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Tukaram said that Vijayapura and Ballari districts, with their mining activity, industries and tourism potential, required enhanced railway infrastructure, including doubling, electrification and more road overbridges and underpasses.
Published – January 04, 2026 09:24 pm IST
