Karnataka will fast-track railway projects that are languishing since 2007 because of which their cost has almost doubled, Infrastructure Development Minister V Somanna said Wednesday.
This includes the long-pending 170-km Munirabad-Mehaboobanagar line that promises to significantly reduce the distance between Hyderabad, Hubballi and Goa.
Somanna, who reviewed the infrastructure development department, found that of the nine railway projects cleared since 2007 at least four have seen their total cost go up from Rs 4,446 crore to Rs 8,683 crore – a 95% increase.
“There’s been a huge escalation in cost. It burdens both the Centre and state. So, we have decided to expedite the projects,” Somanna said.
