Three new railway lines in Karnataka — Survey begins

Bangalore Mail News Desk

Bangalore | December 7

According to State Minister for Railways V. Somanna, survey work has begun for three new railway routes in Karnataka. The proposed routes are:

Talguppa–Shirsi–Hubballi

Ankola–Hubballi

Talguppa–Honavar

These projects are expected to be completed by 2030 and will strengthen connectivity for the Malenadu (Western Ghats / coastal-hinterland) region. The surveys for the new railway lines have reached final stages, and land acquisition for at least one of them will begin soon, according to V. Somanna.

The estimated total cost for the proposed routes (including Talguppa–Hubballi and Talguppa–Honavar) is around ₹21,000 crore. Specifically for the Hubballi–Ankola line: a detailed project report (DPR) and survey have already been completed. Work is expected to be started within the next six months, once forest and wildlife clearances are obtained.

Once built, these new routes will benefit four districts: Uttara Kannada, Dharwad, Shivamogga and Udupi — improving travel convenience, boosting tourism and strengthening local economy.Talguppa–Shirsi–Hubballi route, the expanded project report will be ready in the next six months, after which land acquisition begins. Once completed, these routes are expected to improve access to remote and hilly parts of the state, and ease transport between western coastal/Malenadu regions and interior Karnataka.