North West Seeks ₹900 Crore Transit Upgrade
MP requests ₹900 crore from federal government for road widening and transit upgrades
North Karnataka MP Seeks ₹900 Crore for Roads
North Karnataka's transit infrastructure could see major upgrades if federal funding requests are approved. Belagavi BJP MP Jagadish Shettar met with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Saturday in New Delhi, requesting approximately ₹900 crore for road development, women's safety systems, and fleet modernization across the region. The proposals target critical road corridors and public transit improvements for the North Western Road Transport Corporation.
Major Road Corridor Expansion Proposed
The largest funding request seeks ₹750 crore to widen the 96-kilometer Dharwad-Gokak Road from two lanes to four lanes. The corridor connects Dharwad with Belagavi district via Savadatti and Yaragatti, serving the Savadatti Yallamma temple and Gokak Falls tourist destinations. The road currently carries traffic exceeding 10,000 Passenger Car Units daily, according to Mr. Shettar's office. Officials said widening is essential for regional economic growth as the corridor has become a critical link for commercial and tourist traffic in North Karnataka.
Multiple Infrastructure Improvements Included
Additional proposals include ₹86.40 crore under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund for improving nine roads totaling 80.33 kilometers in Belagavi district, including stretches in Bailhongal and Belagavi taluks. Many of these roads have deteriorated due to heavy rain and traffic, affecting vehicular movement and local connectivity. The funding requests also include ₹59.13 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund for women's safety initiatives across NWKRTC's nearly 1,000 buses and facilities. Another ₹29.396 crore is sought for a Vehicle Tracking Management System across the corporation's fleet of approximately 5,500 buses under the Intelligent Transport Systems scheme.
Funding Structure and Timeline
The proposed funding pattern includes 70% support from the Central government and 30% from NWKRTC or the State government, according to the proposals submitted Saturday. Minister Gadkari responded positively to the funding requests, according to a release from Mr. Shettar's office. Officials haven't announced a specific timeline for when funding decisions will be made or when projects could begin if approved.
Impact on Regional Transit
If approved, the improvements would enhance road connectivity across Belagavi district and strengthen women's safety measures on public transit. The vehicle tracking systems would provide real-time monitoring across NWKRTC's extensive bus network serving North Karnataka. Riders can access real-time transit information and trip planning through Moovit, which provides updates for public transportation systems throughout India including regional bus services.
