The green signal given by the Railway Ministry to lay the double line between Hotgi-Gadag-Kudgi, is expected to increase rail connectivity from Vijayapura district significantly.
The doubling of railway line is also expected to reduce the travel time as the many trains will no longer have to wait for availability of track.
It may be noted that on Wednesday, the Union government approved this project which was before the government for long.
While this new line would give additional railway connectivity to Bagalkot district also, it would ease the traffic and improve connectivity between Bengaluru-Guntakal-Pune-Mumbai and Hospet-Gagad-Hubballi-Goa.
The new line would boost the industrial sector as the line would be used to transport goods for industries such as steel, cement and materials.
“This new route will open up a gateway for the industrial development of Vijayapura district and would also help Railways earn higher profit for transporting goods,” said Vishwanath Bhavi, president of Railway Horata Samiti.
While doubling of the line would help industrial sector, even the passengers would also enjoy its benefits as the same line would enable the railways to give connectivity to several major trains that connects to important cities of the country.
One of the primary reasons for doubling of line is to provide separate railway link to Kudagi thermal plant here for transporting coal.
The 4000-MW power plant which is expected to start generating 800MW from second quarter of next year, needs coal. NTPC, which is establishing the plant, has already paid Rs. 946 crore to Railway Ministry for laying a 134-kilometre long railway line.
Since the work of thermal plant is taking up a face pace, the pressure on Railway department is high to complete the work on priority.
Meanwhile, several leaders of Vijayapura and Bagalkot have expressed happiness over the decision, they have also urged the government to complete the work in time-bound manner without giving room for delay.
