KiaGreenwald: Created initial data w/ infobox

2025-12-02T03:03:06Z

Created initial data w/ infobox

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{{Orphan|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = Bidar–Kalaburagi rail line
| color =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image =
| caption =
| type = [[Regional rail]]
| system = [[Indian Railways]]
| status = Operational
| locale = [[Karnataka]], India
| start = {{rws|Bidar}}
| end = {{rws|Kalaburagi Junction}}f
| stations = 11
| open = August 2015 (partial DEMU service)<br>29 October 2017 (fully operational)
| owner = [[Indian Railways]]
| operator = [[South Central Railway zone|South Central Railway]]
| linelength_km = 72.26
| tracklength_km =
| gauge = {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}
| elevation_m =
| website =
}}

The '''Bidar–Kalaburagi rail line''' is a {{convert|72.26|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, single-track [[Indian Railways#Track gauges|broad-gauge]] railway line in the Indian state of [[Karnataka]]. It connects [[Bidar]] and [[Kalaburagi]] (formerly Gulbarga), providing a direct rail link for the [[Kalyana-Karnataka]] region. After a prolonged development period affected by funding and land acquisition issues, with a final project cost of ₹1,462 crore, the line was fully inaugurated in October 2017. The line is operated by the [[South Central Railway zone]].

== History ==
The proposal for a direct railway line was initially sanctioned in the [[Railway budget of India|1996-97 railway budget]].<ref name="Express2009">{{cite news |title=Gulbarga-Bidar railway line pushes ahead |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2009/May/02/gulbarga-bidar-railway-line-pushes-ahead-45884.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=2 May 2009 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> The project subsequently stalled for years due to lack of funding. By December 2004, Members of Parliament were questioning the government in the [[Lok Sabha]], demanding funds be allocated for its "early completion".<ref name="LokSabha2004Funds">{{cite web |title=Need to allocate funds for early completion of new rail line between Bidar and Gulbarga in Karnataka |url=https://eparlib.sansad.in/bitstream/123456789/716985/1/2377.pdf |publisher=[[Parliament of India|eParliament]] |date=2004 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> The official response from the Ministry of Railways stated that the project was pending due to "resource constraints".<ref name="LokSabha2004Status">{{cite web |title=UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2570: New Railway line between Bidar and Gulbarga |url=https://eparlib.sansad.in/bitstream/123456789/549288/1/5193.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Railways (via eParliament) |date=16 December 2004 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

A final location survey was completed by 2009.<ref name="Express2009"/> The project was approved anew in the [[Railway budget of India|2010-11 budget]].<ref name="Express2014">{{cite news |title='Bidar-Gulbarga rly line delay affecting growth' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2014/Jul/13/%E2%80%98bidar-gulbarga-rly-line-delay-affecting-growth%E2%80%99-635124.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=13 July 2014 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> The foundation stone for a station and goods shed at Sultanpur was laid by then [[Minister of Railways (India)|Railway Minister]] [[Mallikarjun Kharge]] on 27 October 2013.<ref name="TOI2013">{{cite news |title=Railway Minister lays foundation stone for station and goods shed in Sultanpur |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/railway-ministermallikarjun-kharge-lays-foundation-stone-for-construction-of-station-and-goods-shed-insultanpur-which-is-a-part-of-the-bidar-gulbarga-new-rail-line-/articleshow/28743015.cms |work=The Times of India |date=27 October 2013 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

By 2014, business leaders stated the lack of connectivity was affecting growth in the region.<ref name="Express2014"/> The project cost increased from ₹450 crore in 2014<ref name="Express2014"/> to ₹1,050 crore by 2015,<ref name="Hindu2015">{{cite news |title=Railway Budget: Kalaburagi-Bidar rail line needs more funds |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/railway-budget-kalaburagibidar-rail-line-needs-more-funds/article6931116.ece |work=The Hindu |date=19 February 2015 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> and further to ₹1,150 crore by 2016.<ref name="DH2016">{{cite news |title=Cost escalates to Rs 1,150 crore |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/639939/cost-escalates-rs-1150-crore.html |work=Deccan Herald |date=6 June 2016 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> Officials attributed the increases to land acquisition challenges and alignment change demands.<ref name="DH2016"/> The project also became a subject of political debate.<ref name="BS2017Politics">{{cite news |title=Congress caused delay in Bidar-Kalaburagi railway line project: Piyush Goyal |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/congress-caused-delay-in-bidar-kalaburagi-railway-line-project-piyush-goyal-117102900620_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=29 October 2017 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

By early 2017, 59% of the work was completed.<ref name="Hindu2017Progress">{{cite news |title=Kalaburagi-Bidar railway line work in progress: Baig |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/kalaburagibidar-railway-line-work-in-progress-baig/article7928958.ece |work=The Hindu |date=10 January 2017 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> The line was inaugurated by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] on 29 October 2017, with a final project cost of ₹1,462 crore.<ref name="PIB2017">{{cite press release |title=PM dedicates Bidar - Kalaburagi New Railway Line to the Nation |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=172031 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |date=29 October 2017 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> As of December 2023, the project was officially reported as completed and operational by the Ministry of Railways.<ref name="LokSabha2023">{{cite web |title=Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5992: Development of Railway Lines |url=https://eparlib.sansad.in/bitstream/123456789/715401/1/5992.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Railways (via eParliament) |date=14 December 2023 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

== Route and specifications ==
The {{convert|72.26|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, single broad-gauge line originates at {{rws|Bidar}} (station code: BIDR) and terminates at {{rws|Kalaburagi Junction}} (KLBG).<ref name="PIB2017"/><ref name="SCR2015">{{cite web |title=South Central Railway - Timetable Notice No. 27 of 2015 |url=https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in/scr/notice/1441257905227_T.N.No.27%20of%2031.08.2015.pdf |publisher=[[South Central Railway]] |date=31 August 2015 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> It passes through the following 11 stations:
Bidar, Hunsihadalli (HSHL), Hira (HIRA), Taj Sultanpur (TSPR), Kamalapur (KMPR), Dudhani (DODI), Hotgi Road (HGRD), Sonala (SNL), Sedam (SEM), Malkhed (MLK), and Kalaburagi Junction.<ref name="SCR2015"/>

== Operation ==
Initial [[Diesel Electric Multiple Unit]] (DEMU) services (Train numbers 77651/77652) began operation on a partially completed section as early as August 2015.<ref name="SCR2015"/> The line was fully inaugurated in October 2017.<ref name="PIB2017"/>

Following inauguration, the line operated with limited service. A 2020 report noted the line had one train per day with irregular scheduling.<ref name="TOI2020">{{cite news |title=Kalaburagi-Bidar railway line waiting for trains since three years |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/kalaburagi-bidar-railway-line-waiting-for-trains-since-three-years/articleshow/78959235.cms |work=The Times of India |date=23 July 2020 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

Service frequency increased in October 2023 with the introduction of the daily '''Kalyana Karnataka Express''', which connects the region to [[Bengaluru]] via this line.<ref name="DH2023">{{cite news |title=Kalyana Karnataka's first dedicated train to Bengaluru from Oct 28 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnatka/kalyana-karnataka-s-first-dedicated-train-to-bengaluru-from-oct-28-2731114 |work=Deccan Herald |date=26 October 2023 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> The line is operated by the [[South Central Railway zone]].

== Future development ==
In the 2018-19 Railway Budget, the line was identified for future development, with plans announced for its doubling (adding a second track) and electrification.<ref name="Hindu2018">{{cite news |title=Line doubling, rail electrification projects get a boost in Karnataka |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/Line-doubling-rail-electrification-projects-get-a-boost-in-Karnataka/article17184845.ece |work=The Hindu |date=3 February 2018 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> However, as of December 2023, an official parliamentary document stated that "at present, no proposal... is under consideration with the Ministry of Railways" for the doubling of this line.<ref name="LokSabha2023"/>

== Impact ==
The railway line reduces travel time between Bidar and Kalaburagi from nearly four hours by road to about {{convert|90|min}} by train.<ref name="PIB2017"/> At the inauguration, the Prime Minister stated the line would "give impetus to the overall development of the region and help in providing seamless connectivity to the people of Karnataka and the neighbouring regions."<ref name="PIB2017"/> The line serves the [[Kalyana-Karnataka]] region.<ref name="Express2014"/>

== See also ==
* [[Transport in Karnataka]]
* [[Rail transport in Karnataka]]
* [[List of railway lines in India]]
* [[South Central Railway zone]]
* [[Kalaburagi Junction railway station]]
* [[Bidar railway station]]

== External links ==
* [https://scr.indianrailways.gov.in/ South Central Railway official website] (accessed 14 September 2025)

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:South Central Railway zone]]
[[Category:Transport in Kalaburagi district]]
[[Category:Transport in Bidar district]]
[[Category:Rail transport in India]]

Bidar–Kalaburagi rail line - Revision history

KiaGreenwald: Created initial data w/ infobox