Kalaburagi Residents Intensify Demand for Railway Zone Reorganization
In a significant development for railway infrastructure in Karnataka, residents of Kalaburagi are amplifying their long-standing demand to shift the entire Wadi–Kalaburagi section to South Central Railway (SCR). This push comes amid ongoing discussions between SCR and Central Railways (CR) regarding a potential swap of Wadi junction station.
Operational Bottlenecks and Historical Grievances
For years, people in Kalaburagi and neighboring districts have accused Central Railways of discrimination and neglect. They argue that CR's control over the Wadi–Kalaburagi section has created severe operational bottlenecks, slowing both passenger and freight train services. In contrast, South Central Railway has been more responsive to the demands of districts like Bidar, Yadgir, and Raichur.
"The zonal interchange points near Wadi and Kalaburagi hamper the smooth movement of freight trains and block the introduction of new passenger trains," stated former Kalaburagi MP Umesh Jadhav in a letter to the railway minister in October 2023. He advocated for merging the Wadi–Kalaburagi–Tajsultanpur/Bablad section with SCR to streamline operations.
High-Level Railway Meetings and Swap Proposals
Sources within Central Railways revealed that general managers of SCR and CR met in August 2023 to discuss critical infrastructure issues. During this meeting, SCR proposed taking over Wadi junction station while handing over the SCR portion of Akola station and the Akola–Khandwa section to CR. "The issue is under consideration between parent railways," confirmed CR sources, highlighting that the matter remains pending at higher administrative levels.
Activist Sunil Kulkarni emphasized the complexity of the current zonal arrangement, noting that Kalaburagi falls under both CR and SCR zones, with the upcoming Gadag–Wadi line set to bring South Western Railway (SWR) into the district. "This overlapping jurisdiction is adversely affecting train operations and extensions," he asserted, advocating for merging Wadi and Kalaburagi junctions under a single zone to reduce logistical problems.
Infrastructure Deficiencies and Urgent Calls for Action
Kulkarni also pointed out that key stations like Kalaburagi, Shahabad, and Wadi are not receiving adequate facilities under the current system. With the impending establishment of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone in Visakhapatnam, he stressed the urgency of merging the Kalaburagi–Raichur section with SCR. This move is crucial as the Guntakal division is expected to operate under SCoR, potentially complicating regional railway management further.
Former MP Umesh Jadhav told TOI that transferring the full 35–45 km Wadi–Kalaburagi section to SCR would ensure smoother movement of both passenger and goods trains, addressing long-standing inefficiencies.
Official Responses and Administrative Oversight
Attempts to obtain comments from CR CPRO Swapnil D Nila and SCR CPRO Sridhar A were unsuccessful. However, SWR CPRO Manjunath Kanamadi clarified that zone delimitation falls under the exclusive purview of the Railway Board, indicating that any final decision would require approval from central authorities.
The persistent demands from Kalaburagi residents underscore a broader issue of railway zone optimization in South India. As swap talks between SCR and CR progress, local stakeholders remain hopeful that a reorganization will enhance connectivity and operational efficiency in the region.
