Bidar–Kalaburagi rail line

Bidar–Kalaburagi rail line
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerIndian Railways
LocaleKarnataka, India
Termini
Stations11
Service
TypeRegional rail
SystemIndian Railways
Operator(s)South Central Railway
History
OpenedAugust 2015 (partial DEMU service)
29 October 2017 (fully operational)
Technical
Line length72.26 km (44.90 mi)
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)

The Bidar–Kalaburagi rail line is a 72.26 km (44.90 mi) long, single-track broad-gauge railway line in the Indian state of Karnataka. It connects Bidar and Kalaburagi (formerly Gulbarga), providing a direct rail link for the Kalyana-Karnataka region. After a prolonged development period affected by funding and land acquisition issues, with a final project cost of ₹1,462 crore, the line was fully inaugurated in October 2017. The line is operated by the South Central Railway zone.

History

The proposal for a direct railway line was initially sanctioned in the 1996-97 railway budget.[1] The project subsequently stalled for years due to lack of funding. By December 2004, Members of Parliament were questioning the government in the Lok Sabha, demanding funds be allocated for its "early completion".[2] The official response from the Ministry of Railways stated that the project was pending due to "resource constraints".[3]

A final location survey was completed by 2009.[1] The project was approved anew in the 2010-11 budget.[4] The foundation stone for a station and goods shed at Sultanpur was laid by then Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on 27 October 2013.[5]

By 2014, business leaders stated the lack of connectivity was affecting growth in the region.[4] The project cost increased from ₹450 crore in 2014[4] to ₹1,050 crore by 2015,[6] and further to ₹1,150 crore by 2016.[7] Officials attributed the increases to land acquisition challenges and alignment change demands.[7] The project also became a subject of political debate.[8]

By early 2017, 59% of the work was completed.[9] The line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 October 2017, with a final project cost of ₹1,462 crore.[10] As of December 2023, the project was officially reported as completed and operational by the Ministry of Railways.[11]

Route and specifications

The 72.26 km (44.90 mi) long, single broad-gauge line originates at Bidar (station code: BIDR) and terminates at Kalaburagi Junction (KLBG).[10][12] It passes through the following 11 stations: Bidar, Hunsihadalli (HSHL), Hira (HIRA), Taj Sultanpur (TSPR), Kamalapur (KMPR), Dudhani (DODI), Hotgi Road (HGRD), Sonala (SNL), Sedam (SEM), Malkhed (MLK), and Kalaburagi Junction.[12]

Operation

Initial Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) services (Train numbers 77651/77652) began operation on a partially completed section as early as August 2015.[12] The line was fully inaugurated in October 2017.[10]

Following inauguration, the line operated with limited service. A 2020 report noted the line had one train per day with irregular scheduling.[13]

Service frequency increased in October 2023 with the introduction of the daily Kalyana Karnataka Express, which connects the region to Bengaluru via this line.[14] The line is operated by the South Central Railway zone.

Future development

In the 2018-19 Railway Budget, the line was identified for future development, with plans announced for its doubling (adding a second track) and electrification.[15] However, as of December 2023, an official parliamentary document stated that "at present, no proposal... is under consideration with the Ministry of Railways" for the doubling of this line.[11]

Impact

The railway line reduces travel time between Bidar and Kalaburagi from nearly four hours by road to about 90 minutes (5,400 s) by train.[10] At the inauguration, the Prime Minister stated the line would "give impetus to the overall development of the region and help in providing seamless connectivity to the people of Karnataka and the neighbouring regions."[10] The line serves the Kalyana-Karnataka region.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Gulbarga-Bidar railway line pushes ahead". The New Indian Express. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  2. ^ "Need to allocate funds for early completion of new rail line between Bidar and Gulbarga in Karnataka" (PDF). eParliament. 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  3. ^ "UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2570: New Railway line between Bidar and Gulbarga" (PDF). Ministry of Railways (via eParliament). 16 December 2004. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "'Bidar-Gulbarga rly line delay affecting growth'". The New Indian Express. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Railway Minister lays foundation stone for station and goods shed in Sultanpur". The Times of India. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Railway Budget: Kalaburagi-Bidar rail line needs more funds". The Hindu. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Cost escalates to Rs 1,150 crore". Deccan Herald. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Congress caused delay in Bidar-Kalaburagi railway line project: Piyush Goyal". Business Standard. 29 October 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Kalaburagi-Bidar railway line work in progress: Baig". The Hindu. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e "PM dedicates Bidar - Kalaburagi New Railway Line to the Nation" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 29 October 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5992: Development of Railway Lines" (PDF). Ministry of Railways (via eParliament). 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  12. ^ a b c "South Central Railway - Timetable Notice No. 27 of 2015" (PDF). South Central Railway. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Kalaburagi-Bidar railway line waiting for trains since three years". The Times of India. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Kalyana Karnataka's first dedicated train to Bengaluru from Oct 28". Deccan Herald. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  15. ^ "Line doubling, rail electrification projects get a boost in Karnataka". The Hindu. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
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