Provide new inter-city rail services to Kalyana K'taka, MLC Namoshi urges Railways minister Somanna
Kalaburagi: BJP leader and Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council Shashil G Namoshi has requested Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna to provide Kalyana Karnataka new inter-city rail services to improve connectivity in the region.
Handing over a memorandum to the minister on Sunday, June 1, the MLC pointed out that the region was also experiencing a growing necessity for connection between Kalaburagi and other prominent urban centres, including Yadgir, Bidar, Raichur and Ballari. Namoshi added in his letter that the cities play prominent roles in agriculture, commerce, education, and health services and better connectivity between the cities would greatly support the farmers, teachers, traders, and students in the region.
Appreciating the Union government for upgrading the infrastructure of railway stations in rural areas over the past 12 years, the MLC expressed dissatisfaction that inter-city trains do not often stop at rural stations. He said that, as a result, the upgrades fail to prove beneficial for regular passengers.
The MLC further explained how inter-city trains that halt at smaller rural stations would provide transport accessibility and reduce the local farmers’ dependence on expensive or irregular private transport. The connectivity would also provide better access to markets to the farmers, Namoshi added.
Speaking about the education sector, the legislator said that inter-city trains with reliable scheduling and rural stops would support efficiency in education services especially for teachers who commute between rural areas and cities on a daily basis.
Namoshi, on the occasion, reiterated his long-standing demand for the authorities to provide an inter-city train service between Solapur and Hyderabad via Kalaburagi. He explained that thousands of people travel through the route for various purposes including business and advanced medical treatment.
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K'taka remains central to Aequs' strategy, says min Patil amid row over firm's investment in TN
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Commerce and Industries Minister M B Patil on Monday asserted that Aequs continues to expand in the state and that its proposed investment in neighbouring Tamil Nadu was a business decision aimed at diversification, not a shift away from Karnataka.
Reacting to criticism on social media over reports that the Karnataka-based firm had signed a major investment deal in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district for setting up a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster, he said the state government was fully aware of the company's plans and remained confident about its long-term commitment to Karnataka.
"While we welcome every major investment in India, would like to clarify a few points," Patil said in a post on 'X'.
Aequs was significantly expanding its footprint within Karnataka, including a Rs 3,000 crore investment in Kolar for electronics manufacturing.
"Its recently approved Rs 1,500 crore ECMS project will also be grounded in the state. Karnataka remains central to its long-term strategy," he said.
Patil added that the government had prior knowledge of the TN proposal.
The government was already informed and aware that the TN investment is a business decision aimed at geographic diversification and de-risking operations, not a shift away from Karnataka.
"Healthy competition between states strengthens India's manufacturing ecosystem," he said.
Emphasising the state's focus on high-technology sectors, Patil said, "We remain committed to deepening Karnataka's leadership in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and our engagement with industry partners is strong and ongoing."
The Aequs Group has pledged Rs 4,000 crore to bolster Tamil Nadu's aerospace manufacturing capabilities at the SIPCOT-Shoolagiri Industrial Park in Krishnagiri district.
The group proposes to establish a specialised aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster for the production of aircraft engines, gearbox components, and precision engineering parts. This initiative is expected to provide employment to 7,000 individuals.
