Minister seeks coach depot in Vijayapura to strengthen rail connectivity to North Karnataka

Bengaluru: Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister and Vijayapura district in-charge, M.B. Patil, recently said that he had recently discussed the need for a coach depot at Vijayapura to strengthen rail connectivity to the region, with Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna.

He is also reported to have requested the Railways for an additional entrance and exit gate at the railway station.  

Addressing the media, Patil said that the goods shed, which was earlier located within the Vijayapura railway station premises, had now been shifted to Aliyabad,  as a result of which there was adequate land available for establishing a coach depot.

Once set up, the depot could be developed into a coach maintenance hub, enabling more efficient train operations and improving rail connectivity for Vijayapura and other parts of North Karnataka, he explained.

“Vijayapura is a historic city and a major tourist destination that attracts lakhs of visitors throughout the year. Passenger footfall increases significantly during weekends, festivals and public holidays. Therefore, an additional station entrance and exit gate is required at Vijayapura railway station to improve passenger convenience,” Patil pointed out.

Patil said these issues were discussed with V. Somanna during a Railway Department programme held recently, and that the Union Minister responded positively to the requests.

He expressed confidence that, if these proposals were implemented, they would also facilitate the maintenance and operation of the Bengaluru-Vijayapura Vande Bharat Express service, which is expected to commence in the next few months.