The proposed rail corridors cover important routes such as Gadag-Wadi, Bagalkot-Kudachi, Ginigera-Raichur, Dharwad-Belagavi, and Tumakuru-Davanagere. These routes pass through regions rich in commodities including iron ore, cement, sugar, paddy, cotton, and oilseeds.
In north Karnataka, the Gadag-Wadi and Bagalkot-Kudachi lines will facilitate freight movement for mining, cement industries, and sugar factories in districts like Bagalkot and Belagavi. This will enable direct bulk commodity transport from source points, easing the burden on existing road networks.
The Raichur-Koppal belt, known as Karnataka’s “rice bowl,” will see new goods sheds in Gangavathi and Sindhanur designed to streamline the large-scale transport of food grains. This is expected to improve supply chains to deficit states and strengthen the national food distribution network.
Logistical challenges in Malnad and central Karnataka will also be addressed through lines like Shivamogga-Ranebennur, supporting arecanut, maize, and timber transport, and the Tumakuru-Davangere corridor, which runs alongside National Highway 48, for mineral and industrial freight.
Specialised infrastructure is planned at select locations, including cement handling terminals, cold-chain facilities for horticultural products, and multi-modal logistics parks integrating rail and road transport. Notably, cold storage facilities at Kudachi and a logistics hub near Davanagere will enhance value chains.
The Hassan-Chikkamagaluru-Belur segment will particularly benefit the plantation economy by improving export pathways for coffee, pepper, and timber through better connectivity to coastal ports.
SWR officials emphasize that this strategy goes beyond traditional rail expansions, aiming to create decentralised economic nodes by directly connecting production centers with consumption markets, ultimately reducing logistics costs and dependence on road transport.
