Yogesh K Porwar
Vande Bharat train stopping at Haveri is a good sign, says Bommai
Haveri:Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought about a revolution in the Indian Railways,with revenue increasing fourfold in the past ten years,bringing the Railways into a profitable path,said former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai.
He was speaking on Saturday at the Vande Bharat train halt program organized by the South Western Railway at Sri Mailara Mahadevappa Railway Station in Haveri.
He flagged off the Vande Bharat train alongside Union Minister of State for Railways V.Somanna.
Bommai said after being elected to the Lok Sabha,he held several meetings regarding railway projects, including discussions about constructing several overbridges and underbridges.
There was a long-standing demand to make Vande Bharat halt at Haveri.Hundreds of people travel to Bengaluru daily from Haveri,Byadgi,and Ranebennur.
Business transactions worth thousands of crores take place in this region daily.He brought this to the attention of Minister Somanna,who responded positively.
Somanna has served in public life for about 45 years – as a corporator,MLA,minister, and now as a Union Minister.The minister spoke to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw,who agreed to the halt at Haveri, and it is now being implemented.
PM makes impossible possible
The MP said what seems impossible is made possible by Prime Minister Modi.He has revolutionized the railways by implementing doubling of railway lines and unification of railway engines.
Since 2014,3320 km of railway lines have been developed in Karnataka–earlier,it was only 900 km. Another major transformation is in the railway signaling system and control rooms, which have been upgraded.
Train speeds have increased,and railway revenue has grown fourfold.In the last two years, Minister Somanna has worked relentlessly like mercury.My congratulations to Prime Minister Modi,Railway Minister,Ashwini Vaishnaw,and V.Somanna”.
The former CM said people in this region expect a railway revolution.Haveri station needs an escalator because trains don’t halt for long.
This should be treated as a special case and implemented.Ranebennur railway station is being developed under the Amrit Bharat scheme.
The goods shed there needs to be expanded. Ranebennur is a major commercial center,exporting food products to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and also importing them.
Railways has taken steps to develop Byadgi station – Byadgi hosts an international chili market.The new ShikaripuraRanebennur line is under progress, and development is happening from Shivamogga to Shikaripura.But here, progress is slow.Land acquisition should be expedited.
“We will complete the land acquisition process within a month.Once 90 per cent acquisition is done, work should begin. Rs.690 crores has been sanctioned for the Yalavigi–Gadag project,and Rs.280 crores have been released.Necessary approvals should be given in May and work started.
Bommai said there are several train decisions pending. There are demands for train halts at Ranebennur, Challakere,and Haveri.
Three trains should stop at Haveri.Yalavigi’s first phase towards Gadag is progressing.If Haveri is connected, it will extend to Koppal and beyond.
The Yalavigi–Haveri route should be taken up in the second phase.Two underbridges near Yalavigi have not been effective, and overbridges are needed.
Two ROBs (Road Over Bridges) are needed at Byadgi main line and Kakol. Minister Somanna has assured that funds will be provided for as many ROBs and RUBs (Road Under Bridges) as needed.An ROB is also needed near Naginamatti close to Haveri.
Amrit Bharat Scheme
He said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, under the Amrit Bharat Scheme,51 railway stations in Karnataka have been modernized.
6000 km of highways are being developed,of which 3000 km are already completed,and the remaining 3000 km need to be developed.
Rs.6000 crores is being spent on this.Every year,Rs.7000 crores is allocated for railway projects in the budget,but it’s not being utilized properly due to delays in land acquisition.Railway development will lead to overall development in trade,commerce,and cultural sectors.
Funds for irrigation
Bommai also requested the release of funds for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (Prime Minister’s Agricultural Irrigation Scheme)for Haveri and Gadag districts.He said funds haven’t been released yet.
The state government will give approval this week and send the file to CWCs.”I request that Rs.60 crores for Haveri district and Rs.40 crores for Gadag district be approved,” he said.
Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti,V. Somanna, South Western Railway DRM,Mudit Mittal, Chief Commercial Manager,Anup Sadhu,Haveri DC, Vijaymahantesh Danammanavar,Superintendent of Police,Anshukumar,Zilla Panchayat CEO,Ruchi Bindal, and Municipal Council President,Shashikala Malgi were present along with other railway officials.
