Koppal Villagers Demand Train Stoppage Restoration Two Decades After Bollywood Film Shooting
The picturesque villages of Koppal district in Karnataka have long been favored by filmmakers from Bollywood and Sandalwood, with residents cherishing memories of sharing moments with stars like Jackie Chan and Sanjay Dutt. However, this cinematic legacy has left a bitter aftertaste for the people of Bhanapur and over 50 surrounding villages, who continue to grapple with the fallout from the 2006 Bollywood film 'Guru', directed by Maniratnam.
A Stoppage Cancelled and Never Restored
According to Nagaraj Talawar, a local lecturer, the South Western Railway (SWR) cancelled the stoppage of Train No. 17225/26 Amaravati Express at Bhanapur railway station in 2006, ostensibly 'for a week to facilitate the shooting' of the film, which featured lead actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Despite assurances, this stoppage has not been reinstated even after 20 years, severely impacting connectivity for the region.
Bhanapur is emerging as a suburban center of Koppal city and a crucial transit point for residents traveling to major cities like Bengaluru, Hubballi, Guntakal, and Hyderabad. The cancellation has forced commuters to seek alternative, often inconvenient, routes, disrupting daily life and economic activities.
Historical Significance and Modern Growth Ignored
Talawar emphasized the historical importance of Bhanapur railway station, noting that Mahatma Gandhi visited and addressed a public meeting there on March 3, 1934. Today, the area has transformed into an educational and industrial hub, housing institutions such as Koppal University, a Government Engineering College, a VTU PG Centre, and a toy factory within its and neighboring Talakal village limits.
Furthermore, Bhanapur serves as a junction for two national highways—Ballari-Hubballi and Bhanapur-Gaddanakeri—enhancing its strategic value. Residents have been demanding not only the restoration of the Amaravati Express stoppage but also stoppages for other key express trains, including Haripriya, Karnataka Sampark Kranti, Vasco-Da-Gama Amaravati, Mysuru Special Fare, Da-Gama-Jasidih Weekly, Yesvantpur, and Chennai Central expresses.
Persistent Appeals and Railway's Response
Rahamansab Allasab Nadaf, a former gram panchayat member who was hired by the 'Guru' movie team to ride a bullock cart, revealed that numerous memoranda have been submitted to local MPs, including former MP Karadi Sanganna and sitting MP K Rajashekhar Hitnal. These pleas, along with submissions to SWR Hubballi officials, have largely gone unanswered, leaving the community frustrated.
Nadaf also highlighted Bhanapur's historical role as a watering station for long-route trains during the metre gauge era, when Koppal faced water scarcity. This made it a convenient stop for the erstwhile South Central Railway Secunderabad, underscoring its longstanding utility in the rail network.
Infrastructure Gaps and Economic Impact
Shantaveerayya Lakhmapuramath, a former railway coal contractor, pointed out a significant gap in train services, with no facilities towards Gadag and Hubballi between 8 am and 3:45 pm. He described Bhanapur as 'a gateway to Kukanur, Yelburga and Mundargi taluks', indicating its central role in regional connectivity.
In response to the ongoing demands, Manjunah Kanamadi, Chief Public Relations Officer of SWR Hubballi, stated that the Railway Board has eliminated the Bhanapur stoppage, deeming it an 'uneconomic stoppage'. He clarified that this decision is not connected to the film shooting, but residents remain skeptical, citing the timing and lack of restoration post-shooting.
The unresolved issue continues to affect thousands, with locals urging SWR to reconsider in light of Bhanapur's growth as an educational and industrial hub, advocating for improved rail services to support regional development.
