₹400 Cr High-Tech Boost for Hubballi Railway Hub

Hubballi’s Sadguru Siddharoodh Swamy Railway Station, which holds the distinction of having the world’s longest railway platform, is poised for a ₹400 crore high-tech modernization, according to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.

The proposal, prepared by South Western Railway (SWR), outlines comprehensive upgrades and is currently awaiting submission to the Railway Board for approval. As part of broader regional development plans, the Minister also confirmed intensified efforts to secure final Cabinet clearance for the long-pending ₹17,000 crore Hubballi–Ankola railway line. A revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) has now brought the project into regulatory compliance.

The proposed line is expected to significantly enhance connectivity across North Karnataka and facilitate the development of nearby ports such as Belikeri, boosting trade and industrial growth in the region. Minister Joshi noted that these infrastructure projects are positioned to transform regional commerce, potentially outpacing existing transport routes via rail, road, and air.

Meanwhile, progress on a separate railway line between Dharwad and Belagavi has slowed due to ongoing land acquisition challenges.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.