By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

“Dharwad district in-charge Minister Santosh Lad is not cooperating with us in resolving some issues related to delay in land acquisition,” Minster of State for Railways V. Somanna said in Belagavi on Monday.

“We have completed over 95% of land acquisition for the 73 km Belagavi-Hubballi direct railway line via Kittur. The Belagavi portion has been fully completed. Only around 45 acres is pending in Dharwad district. However, there are some issues, including reluctance of farmers to part with their land in some villages. In such matters, we need to move ahead with the help of local leaders. I need the cooperation of the district in-charge Minister. But Mr. Lad is not cooperating. I do not know why,” he told reporters.

He was on his way to Khanapur to launch some development works.

“I called Mr. Lad for meetings two-three times. But he was not available. I will try again. If he does not meet me, I will go looking for him and settle the matter,” he said. He did not respond to a question about whether Mr. Lad’s inaction is politically motivated.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued strict instructions that there should be no politics in development. And, we are doing that. I do not play politics in development. For me, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi are as important as Bengaluru,” he said.

“But some leaders are not cooperating with us. I think they need some medicine,” Mr. Somanna said.

“The Railways rules clearly say that if acquisition of 90% of land has been completed, we can start work. But I do not want to rush into that. I want to take everyone along with me. The State and Union governments should work in coordination,” he said.

“The survey for the line was sanctioned long ago. But due to some errors in the past, it has been delayed. Now we are at it,” he said.

“I am in regular contact with officers in the Railway Department and the two districts of Belagavi and Dharwad. Having a direct line between Dharwad and Belagavi, the two important cities of Northern Karnataka, was the dream of former Railway Minister late Suresh Angadi. I am committed to fulfilling it,” Mr. Somanna said.

He said that the line can reduce travel time between Hubballi and Belagavi. Once the line is completed, we can run Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains and that can connect the three major cities, Belagavi, Dharwad and Hubbali. It will change the face of Northern Karnataka. MEMU trains have a proven track record of improving small town connectivity and boosting trade and commerce, the Minister said.

“Yesterday, some people came to me with a demand for a train between Alnavar and Dandeli. I have told them a new train will start running in one month,” he said.

Mr. Somanna said that various demands for trains in various regions will be fulfilled in phases. He said that demands for an overnight train to Mumbai will be looked into. He said that the demand for a sleeper coach in the existing Vande Bharat service will be considered. He said that a change in the timings of Vande Bharat will be considered if the jurisdictional MPs and MLAs asked for it.

He said that 66 railway stations have been taken up for upgrading and beautification in the State at a cost of ₹1,200 crore, under the Amrut Bharat Scheme.

“Due to this, the face of railway stations is changing. They have started looking like airports,” he said.

“Work on upgrading Belagavi Railway Station is completed. But work is in progress in places like Ghataprabha, Raibag, Chikodi and Gokak,’‘ he said.

The Railways have invested over ₹2,300 crore in various projects in the State. They include railway line laying, electrification, doubling, station development, construction of railway overbridges and underbridges, and other such works.

According to him, the Railway Department has changed the rules with regard to construction of overbridges and underbridges. Earlier, they were built with partial funding from the State government. Sometimes, the State governments share half the cost. But now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that they will be 100 percent financed by the Centre. We are taking up 300 such works in the State, he said