Five railway stations under South Western Railway (SWR) zone in the State, Gokak Road, Gadag, Munirabad, Dharwad and Bagalkot, that have been upgraded and modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, were inaugurated via virtual mode by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
These five railway stations redeveloped at a total cost of ₹91.33 crore are among the 103 such redeveloped railway stations across the country that were inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Thursday.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is aimed at enhancing and modernising railway stations across the Indian Railways network.
Under the scheme, a total of 1,275 railway stations, including 61 under SWR, have been identified for redevelopment and in the first phase, 103 railway stations were inaugurated.
Participating in the event held at Dharwad Railway Station, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot said that efficient rail network is necessary to boost the economy. He said that a smooth and organised railway system plays a vital role in the continuous development of the nation.
The Governor said that Indian Railways has been undertaking several initiatives to provide comfortable services, modernise systems, processes and infrastructure and ensure pollution-free transport of goods and people.
Currently, works worth ₹50,792 crore are under way in the State and in the 2025–26 Budget, Karnataka has been allocated ₹7,564 crore with plans to develop 61 stations into world-class railway stations, he said.
“As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, several major infrastructure and production projects have been launched in the Railways — most notably, the local production of Vande Bharat trains. Since Independence, the country has progressed in every field. Indian Railways has also seen rapid development and continues to play a key role in the country’s growth and economic strength,” he said.
Chairman of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, Chairman of Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority Chairman Shaki Sanadi, Hubballi-Dharwad Mayor Ramappa Badiger spoke on the occasion.
The former MLA Amrut Desai and General Manager of SWR Mukul Saran Mathur, Principal Chief Safety Commissioner Rama Shankar Prasad Singh and others were present.
At Gadag
In a formal inaugural function held at Gadag Railway Station, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi elaborated on the boost given to rail infrastructure under the current regime and listed out various railway projects under way in Karnataka.
BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai attended the event via video conference, while the former Minister C.C. Patil was present.
In the function held at Munirabad Railway Station, Member of Parliament Rajashekhar Hitnal, MLA Raghavendra Hitnal, MLC Hemalata, Padmashri award winner Bhimavva Doddabalappa and others participated.
At the Bagalkot Railway Station, MPs P.C. Gaddigoudar and Govind Karjol, MLA Siddu Savadi, MLCs P.H. Pujar and Hanumanth Nirani, the former Minister Murugesh Nirani attended the event.
Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi, railway officials Anoop D. Sadhu and Karthik and others participated in the inaugural event held at Gokak Road Railway Station.
The cost
Under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, Gokak Road Railway Station in Belagavi district has been renovated at a cost of ₹16.98 crore, second entrance of Dharwad Railway Station at a cost of ₹17.10 crore, Munirabad Railway Station at a cost of ₹18.40 crore, Gadag Railway Station at a cost of ₹23.24 crore and Bagalkot Railway Station at a cost of ₹16.06 crore.
Published – May 22, 2025 07:11 pm IST
