Railway Minister V. Somanna says 92% land acquisition is complete as work gains momentum on the 191-km rail corridor
Bengaluru: The long-awaited Tumakuru-Chitradurga-Davangere direct railway line project has entered a crucial phase, with Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna announcing that the new rail corridor is expected to be fully operational by February 2028. The update came after a high-level review meeting held with senior railway officials to assess the progress of key infrastructure projects in Karnataka.
The ambitious railway project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between central Karnataka districts and boost passenger as well as freight transportation across the region.
Tumakuru-Chitradurga-Davangere Railway Project Nears Key Milestone
The 191-kilometre-long railway line is being developed at an estimated cost of ₹1,801 crore, with the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Railways sharing the project expenditure equally.
According to Minister Somanna, more than 92 percent of the required land acquisition has already been completed, paving the way for faster execution of the remaining works.
The minister stated that the first phase of the project, covering the 13.31-km Urukere-Thimmarajanahalli section, has been completed and is ready for inauguration.
"The Tumakuru-Chitradurga-Davangere railway line is progressing steadily, and the project is expected to be completed and opened for public traffic by February 2028," Somanna said after the review meeting.
Tumakuru-Rayadurg Railway Line Also Progressing Rapidly
During the meeting, the minister also reviewed the progress of the 206-km Tumakuru-Rayadurg railway line, a major inter-state rail project connecting Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The project is being implemented at a cost of ₹2,496 crore. Officials informed the minister that train operations have already commenced on 83 kilometres of the route.
The safety inspection of the Tumakuru-Urukere section has been completed, while the Pavagada-Doddahalli stretch is ready for inauguration.
Land acquisition for the project has reached 97 percent completion, with officials working to complete the remaining formalities and construction activities.
32 Railway Flyovers and Underpasses Under Construction
Apart from the railway line projects, significant efforts are underway to improve road and rail connectivity in Tumakuru district.
A total of 32 road overbridges, flyovers and underpasses are being developed to facilitate smoother traffic movement and eliminate railway crossing bottlenecks.
The projects include infrastructure works at Panditanahalli, Maidala, Baddihalli, Batavadi, Heggere, Mallasandra, Benchegere, Nittur-Mysore Road, Nandihalli Gate, Hassan Road, BH Road and Bidiragudi routes.
Minister Somanna directed officials to complete all sanctioned projects within the 2026-27 timeline and avoid unnecessary delays.
Railways Asked to Resolve Technical Hurdles
The minister instructed South Western Railway officials to maintain close coordination with the Karnataka government to expedite pending clearances.
Key challenges include forest department approvals, relocation of power transmission lines, and shifting of drinking water pipelines that are affecting project execution.
Ajay Sharma, Chief Administrative Officer of South Western Railway, has been directed to regularly monitor progress and ensure that bottlenecks are resolved at the earliest.
"Coordination between state and railway authorities is essential to complete these projects within the scheduled timeframe," the minister emphasized.
Major Boost for Karnataka Connectivity
Once completed, the Tumakuru-Chitradurga-Davangere rail corridor is expected to transform transportation in central Karnataka by reducing travel time, improving logistics movement and strengthening economic activity in the region.
The railway line is also expected to provide a major boost to industries, agriculture and tourism by offering faster and more efficient connectivity between key districts.
Background
The Tumakuru-Chitradurga-Davangere railway line is one of Karnataka's most significant pending railway infrastructure projects. Conceived to provide direct rail connectivity between central Karnataka districts, the project has faced delays primarily due to land acquisition and technical clearances. The railway corridor is being jointly funded by the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Railways. Once operational, it will strengthen regional connectivity and complement other major rail infrastructure projects, including the Tumakuru-Rayadurg line connecting Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
