‘Steps to reduce the duration of Bengaluru-Vijayapura train journey’, says M B Patil
Bengaluru: Minister for Infrastructure Development M B Patil said that the railway officials have been convinced to reduce the duration of Bangalore-Bagalkota-Vijayapura train journey from 14 hours to 10 hours. He was addressing the media at Khanija Bhavana, Bengaluru, on Friday after a meeting with the officials of Department of Infrastructure Development and the Southwestern Railway to discuss on the slow progress of 9 cost sharing railway projects in the state.
Stressing on how the reduced duration of journeys will benefit the people of Southwestern part of the state visiting Bengaluru, M B Patil said that the 660 km long Bengaluru-Vijayapura train journey took a tiresome 14 hours to complete because of unnecessary delays at Hubli and Gadag stations. “The changing of engines in Hubli takes 45 minutes and similar delays occur in Gadag”, he complained. He wanted a new route plan to be put in place where the trains travelled via Hubli (South) Bypass and Gadag Bypass to reduce the time taken.
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“Bangalore-Hubli-Bagalkota has a dual lane. The dual lane between Bagalkota-Vijayapura has been almost completed till Alamatti. It shall be over by October, this year. The 9 km long track between Alamatti-Vandal is still pending as there is a bridge work to be done here. This will be completed by August 2025. The electrification of this lane will be over in next two months”, Patil stated.
Stressing on the necessity of running special trains to Vijayapura and Bagalkota from Bengaluru, M B Patil said that the railway board would be requested to start ‘Vande Bharat Express’ train service between the cities, once the electrification works were over. He asked the officials to finish the 9 cost sharing railway projects in state faster as the delays were resulting in increased expenses. “Among the projects, Munirabad-Mehbub Nagar project must be done by March 2026, Tumkur-Rayadurga project by December 2027, Chikkamagaluru-Beluru project by 2026 and Bagalkota-Kudachi project should be done by 2027”, he told them.
“The land acquisition for Tumkur-Davangere project is all done. The state funds only the single lane of this work. It is really good that the railway department has already decided to lay a double lane. This must be completed by 2027. It will definitely ease the travel between Bagalkota and Vijayapura”, M B Patil added.
The Minister drew attention to a snag in the land acquisition process at Halakatte in the Gadag-Wadi lane where the RTC was owned by one but occupied by another. He assured that the district collector was informed about this and the issue would be resolved soon.
Secretary for the Department of Infrastructure Dr N Manjula, Managing Director of Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Satheesh, Administrative Officer of Southwestern Railways Ramgopal, Chief Engineer of Railway Planning Cell Murthi Raju and Technical Advisor to Infrastructure Minister Aravinda Galagali were present.
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Nitesh Rane labels Bangladeshis, Saif Ali Khan as 'garbage' during Pune rally
Pune: Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane has drawn controversy once again with remarks made during a rally in Pune on Wednesday. Rane criticised Bangladeshis in Mumbai, actor Saif Ali Khan, and opposition leaders, calling for the removal of "garbage."
"Look at what Bangladeshis are doing in Mumbai. They entered Saif Ali Khan's house. Earlier, they stood at crossings, and now they have started entering homes. Maybe he came to take him (Saif) away. It is good; garbage should be taken away," Rane stated.
Rane also questioned the circumstances surrounding Saif Ali Khan's recent hospitalisation. "I saw him after being discharged from Lilavati Hospital, and I doubted whether he was stabbed or just acting. He appeared to be dancing while walking," he added.
Rane alleged that Muslim actors receive more political support when in distress compared to Hindu actors.
This is not the first time Rane's statements have stirred controversy. His comments follow remarks by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who earlier questioned the authenticity of Saif Ali Khan's reported six-hour surgery. Nirupam had expressed scepticism over the actor's quick recovery and its impact on Mumbai's law and order narrative.
