Bagalkot-Kudachi New Rail Line: 16 years of delay, only 38 km progress.

Sakkara Naadu Bagalkot/Kudachi :-
The Bagalkot-Kudachi New Rail Line project, which was approved in 2010-2011 and completed 16 years by July 2026, is still halfway. Only 37-38 km of this ambitious 142 km long project has been completed, and locals have alleged that even in the completed section, the expected level of rail connectivity is not being provided. The objective of this project was to directly connect Bagalkot district to the Maharashtra border and the main rail network of South Karnataka through Kudchi in Belgaum district.

According to official information from the South Western Railway, Railbus service on the Bagalkot-Khajjidoni (30 km) section had started in June 2018. However, this service is limited to a distance of only 30 km and is available only a few times a day. Since there is no direct connection to Kudachi and Belgaum, the locals are expressing their anger that they are not getting the expected speed, version and distance connection rather than "no service at all".

The main reasons for the delay in this project are the delay in land acquisition, problems in the release of funds and tender process, and the slow pace of bridge and gradient work. Although the 2023 assembly records record that 2,476 acres of the required 2,496 acres have been handed over, the work itself is not progressing at the expected pace. The state government had set a target of completing the route by the end of 2025, but by July 2026, only 37–38 km out of the 142 km have been completed.

Farmers, students, workers and businessmen who have lost their land are facing serious consequences due to this delay. Farmers are having to spend more time and money on transporting their crops, while students are taking longer to reach cities with higher education and job opportunities. Farmers who have lost their land are alleging that the lack of trains is a threat to their livelihood.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has said that the work is progressing at a fast pace in 2025-2026 and will be completed by 2026. However, locals are demanding a clear timeline for the remaining 104 km of work and more train services should be started on the completed 38 km route. The locals are demanding quick compensation for the farmers who have lost their land and a transparent report on the project cost and progress should be made public every quarter.

Rail connectivity for Bagalkot district is not just a transport facility; it is the pulse of development. Despite dreaming for 16 years, only 38 km has been realized, while the remaining 104 km still remains a dream. Despite the rain of political slogans, progress on the ground is only slow. Farmers who have lost their land, common people waiting for trains—the question of how long the courage and patience of all these people will be tested is haunting the locals. Political leaders who give speeches for hours on the development of North Karnataka are the loudest voice in North Karnataka, saying that development should go hand in hand with the speeches.

-Sudha.Shekhar. Sajji.
Chief Editor.