Hubballi Railway Station to Undergo ₹400 Crore Hi-Tech Modernization.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi revealed recently that South Western Railway (SWR) officials have prepared a proposal worth around ₹400 crore to upgrade the Hubballi Sadguru Siddharoodh Swamy Railway Station, which houses the world’s longest railway platform, into a modern hi-tech facility. The proposal is set to be submitted to the Railway Board, after which approval will be sought from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Speaking at a press conference alongside SWR General Manager Mukul Saran Mathur and other officials, Joshi highlighted that this upgrade is part of a broader vision to enhance railway infrastructure in the region.

Joshi also addressed progress on the long-pending Hubballi-Ankola railway project, stating that only cabinet approval remains to move forward. The project, now backed by a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) valued at ₹17,000 crore, is expected to receive clearance soon, with Joshi assuring that all compliances have been met. The railway line is expected to boost trade by facilitating the construction of ports near Ankola, including at Belikeri, which will promote industrial growth in North Karnataka by providing a more efficient alternative to existing transport routes.

The minister acknowledged challenges in land acquisition for the proposed railway line between Dharwad and Belagavi, where some farmers opposed acquiring 42 acres of land in Dharwad. Joshi urged local authorities to resolve the issue swiftly to ensure project progress. MP Jagadish Shettar also called for immediate resolution of land acquisition problems in Belagavi.

On other infrastructure updates, Joshi shared that only 28 kilometres remain to be completed on the Tumkur-Chitradurga line, with commissioning expected by 2028. This project is projected to reduce travel time between Dharwad and Bengaluru by one hour. Responding to demands from the Jain community in Hubballi, it was announced that the Hubballi-Ajmer train will run three times a week.

Additionally, the 6.6-kilometre Lokapura-Dadanatti railway line between Bagalkot and Kudachi is slated for completion by March 2026. Due to growing demand, the Gadag-Dharwad passenger train will soon be restarted, and a DPR for the Gadag-Yalavigi railway line will be submitted by December.

The press conference was also attended by MLA Mahesh Tenginakai, legislative council member Pradeep Shettar, Mayor Jyoti Patil, and Deputy Mayor Santosh Chavan.