Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna laid the foundation stone on Sunday for a road over bridge at a level crossing in Ajjampura, Chikkamagaluru district. The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the project at a cost of ₹50.48 crore to benefit local residents.
Somanna said the railway network symbolises national progress and its expansion aids people in multiple ways. Responding to local demands, he directed officials to upgrade the neglected Tarikere station under the Gati Shakti Scheme or another programme, with work to finish in 15 to 20 months.
He added that the Prime Minister has ordered removal of all level crossings within a 100-km radius of Bengaluru. Karnataka has already replaced 707 such gates with bridges, and the remaining 400-plus will be eliminated within two years.
A ₹70 crore road over bridge on the Chikkamagaluru-Birur route has been approved and work will start soon. Development at Chikkamagaluru station is under way at a cost of ₹22 crore.
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said the proposal had been pending for years but was cleared and launched within 18 months. He called for quality construction and early opening to traffic. He also submitted a proposal for four trains, including the Yashwanthpur-Vasco da Gama Express and Gol Gumbaz Express, to stop at Ajjampura.
Tarikere MLA G.H. Srinivas, MLC S.L. Bhoje Gowda and others attended the event.
