Central Budget does not mention anything on proposal for Almatti-Yadgir new railway line

A most-anticipated new railway line between Almatti in Vijayapura district and Yadgir, linking Kittur Karnataka with Kalyan Karnataka region, failed to get attention and also any grant in the Central Budget of 2025-26 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Earlier, various organisations, mainly the Almatti-Hunsagi-Yadgir Railway Horata Samiti, raised a strong voice and even sent a delegation, including office-bearers of the samiti, to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and his deputy V. Somanna with a demand for laying a new railway line between Almatti and Yadgir and fulfil a long-pending demand of the two districts.

Apart from that, Raichur MP G. Kumar Naik also met the two Ministers and submitted a memorandum in support of the demand for the new railway line.

“We are completely upset over the Union government’s negligent attitude. It is our dream to have a new railway line covering Almatti, Nidagundi, Muddebihal, Talikote, Hunsagi, Shorapur, Hattigudur, Wadagera and Yadgir. But the Finance Minister has said nothing about the proposed railway line,” president of the samiti Chandrasekhar Dandin told The Hindu.

At present, commuters have to travel from Yadgir to Vijayapura via Wadi, Kalaburagi and Hotgi, covering a distance of 328 km. If the new railway line is laid, the distance will be reduced to 165 km.

“We hoped that the Union government will render justice to the backward region by laying the new line. But our demand has not been considered. But, we will continue to fight for it,” stage performer and comedian Basavaraj Mamani has said.

However, it may be mentioned that Ms. Sitharaman has announced ₹7,564 crore for railway projects in the State, including ₹549.45 crore for the ongoing Gadag-Wadi railway line project, which covers Yadgir district too.