Somanna lays foundation stones for railway projects in Bidar district

Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna addressing a public meeting after laying foundation stones for railway projects at Khanapur Junction Railway Station in Bidar district on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna laid the foundation stones for two major infrastructure projects under South Central Railway in Bidar district on Saturday.

The initiatives include the construction of a goods shed at Khanapur Junction Railway Station and a road underbridge in Bhalki, replacing level crossing no 71 located between Bhalki and Kalagurki railway stations.

The foundation stone ceremony took place at Khanapur Junction Railway Station in the presence of Minister for Municipal Administration and Haj Rahim Khan; Bidar Lok Sabha member Sagar Eshwar Khandre; MLAs Shailendra K. Beldale, Siddalingappa N. Patil, Prabhu B. Chauhan, Sharanu Salagar, MLC M.G. Muley and senior railway officials, including Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, South Central Railway, Neeraj Agrawal, Additional General Manager and Bharatesh Kumar Jain, Divisional Railway Manager, Secunderabad Division.

Addressing a gathering, Mr. Somanna said that the new goods shed, to be built at a cost of ₹15 crore, will significantly boost freight loading capacity in the region. The project is being planned with a long-term vision, keeping in mind freight needs for the next 50 years.

Highlighting the cost-effectiveness of rail transport, the Minister noted that it supports small-scale industries in distributing their goods efficiently across the country.

The road underbridge at Bhalki, sanctioned at a cost of ₹10.85 crore, is expected to improve road safety and ensure smoother vehicular movement once completed, he added.

“The redevelopment of Bidar Railway Station is nearing completion at an estimated cost of ₹24.35 crore. Similar projects are under way in Yadgir (₹26.12 crore) and Raichur (₹21.71 crore),” he said.

In total, 58 railway stations across the State are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). Additionally, the KAVACH train protection system has been implemented across 1,465 route kms in the South Central Zone, with plans for phased expansion, he said.

Karnataka has been allocated a railway budget of ₹7,654 crore for the financial year 2025-26, he noted.

Mr. Rahim Khan commended the Railway Ministry’s initiative and requested the introduction of direct train services from Bidar to Tirupati, Ajmer, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Mr. Eshwar Khandre said that the new infrastructure projects will enhance the freight network and overall railway facilities in the region. He urged the Minister to also sanction the redevelopment of Bhalki and Humnabad railway stations.

Published - June 01, 2025 05:59 pm IST