Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Union Budget has earmarked a significant Rs 7,748 crore for railway projects in Karnataka, a substantial increase from the previous allocation. This allocation is nearly nine times higher than the amount allocated during the previous Congress-led government. The total investment in railway infrastructure in Karnataka has now reached Rs 52,950 crore.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 61 stations in Karnataka are undergoing complete redevelopment. Nine railway stations have already been revamped with an investment of Rs 2,110 crore. Additionally, Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains, with a new service from Bengaluru to Mangaluru set to launch soon.
Union Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the completion of electrification work on the Hassan–Mangaluru Ghat section and the Hassan–Bengaluru section. Safety certifications are currently in progress, with plans to cover the entire coastal region of Karnataka once the electrification is finalized. Two trains will operate on the coastal section, connecting Mangaluru, Hassan, and Bengaluru.
The railway service expansion aims to connect southern Karnataka to Coimbatore and Ernakulam in Kerala, with plans to extensively cover coastal and northern Karnataka. The Union Minister assured that railway services will soon reach almost every part of Karnataka, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fulfilling promises. Additionally, major bullet train projects originating from Bengaluru, including Bengaluru–Chennai and Bengaluru–Hyderabad routes, are in the pipeline.
