Karnataka's CM Seeks Railway Minister's Support to Extend Vande Bharat Express Routes

In a significant development, Karnataka's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has strongly urged the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, to consider extending the routes of the Vande Bharat Express, which currently operates along the Bengaluru-Hubballi-Dharwad route, to include Belagavi city. This move is seen as a critical step to enhance connectivity between Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.

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In a significant development, Karnataka's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has strongly urged the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, to consider extending the routes of the Vande Bharat Express, which currently operates along the Bengaluru-Hubballi-Dharwad route, to include Belagavi city. This move is seen as a critical step to enhance connectivity between Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.

Siddaramaiah formally communicated his request to Railway Minister Vaishnaw through a letter, emphasizing the transformative impact of the Vande Bharat Express on regional connectivity. He stated that this initiative had revolutionized the way people travel in the region, connecting Dharwad, Hubballi, Davangere, and Bengaluru. Now, the Karnataka Chief Minister envisions extending these benefits to Belagavi.

In his letter, Siddaramaiah underscored the strategic importance of Belagavi, describing it as an 'economically vibrant' district. Belagavi is home to various industries, including sugar, aluminum, and large enterprises. Moreover, it serves as a crucial support base for the automobile and aerospace sectors, in addition to numerous small and medium-sized industries.

Siddaramaiah also highlighted Belagavi's potential as a tourism hub, with its rich cultural and historical heritage. Given these attributes, he appealed to the Railway Minister to consider extending the Vande Bharat train service from Bengaluru to Hubballi-Dharwad to include Belagavi city.

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Siddaramaiah also mentioned that Karnataka MLC Prakash Hukkeri had expressed a similar sentiment in a letter to the Railway Minister. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of this extension for the holistic development of the region, bringing multiple benefits to industry, education, tourism, and more.

This move has the potential to significantly enhance the connectivity between Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange in the region. It remains to be seen how the Railway Minister and the authorities respond to Siddaramaiah's plea, but it has certainly sparked a discussion on the importance of extending rail routes to promote regional development and connectivity.