south western railway is planning a 252 kms new broad gauge railway line between gadag-wadi section in karnataka. the new line between gadag and wadi will provide connectivity between main lines of hubli-guntakal and mumbai-chennai routes. the new line will take off from wadi and join near sompur stations on gadag-bellary route and will pass through districts of gadag, koppal, raichur, yadgir and gulbarga via kuknur, yelburga, kushtagi, lingsugur, gurgunta, devapur, shorapur shahpur and biral buzurg. with the construction off this direct link, the distance between gadag and wadi stations will come down by about 147 kms., in comparison to the existing routes via guntakal and via hotgi. the construction of this line will help in faster movement of goods and passengers between wadi and hubli. industries of above mentioned five districts will also get convenient and speedy rail connection with west coast ports and other parts of the country. the cost of the project is rs. 19220 million with 50 : 50 cost sharing between ministry of railways and government of karnataka and land is to be provided free of cost by government of karnataka. the clearances of the planning commission and ccea have been received on 12th february, 2014. the foundation stone was laid on 28th february, 2014. [info as of: mar. 14]
