The Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) has strongly condemned what it calls a “double whammy” on the regional headquarters of Kalaburagi, citing the city’s exclusion from the newly announced Mumbai-Bengaluru high-speed rail route and disruption of key flight services from its airport. The chamber, in a report released on Friday, accused both the state and union governments of “gross negligence” that is seriously affecting the region’s growth and causing “deep disappointment among citizens”.
Railway route
KKCCI has expressed serious concern over the decision to route the Mumbai-Bengaluru high-speed train via Hubballi and deliberately bypass Kalaburagi. The chamber claimed that the Kalaburagi Corridor is a central rail route connecting North and South India and is technically superior, fully electrified and capable of reaching speeds of 130 kmph. In contrast, Hubballi’s chosen route is said to be almost 100 km longer.
The rejection comes months after Railway Minister V Somanna visited KKCCI on June 1. At that time, responding to a request for a direct superfast train between Kalaburagi and Bengaluru, the minister had assured that “sweet news” would come within six months. However, the latest announcements were made in favor of Hubballi and Tumakuru, leaving Kalaburagi’s long-pending demands “unaddressed”. The KKCCI has now asked the concerned authorities to review the decision “in the spirit of balanced regional development”.
Air connectivity
Apart from the rail setback, Kalaburagi is facing sudden disruption of air services to key cities like Bengaluru, Tirupati and Hindon (Delhi NCR). These routes, previously operated under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN, have been suspended, causing “difficulties to business travellers, students and the general public”.
This aviation crisis persists despite Kalaburagi Airport being equipped with modern infrastructure, including night landing capabilities and an Instrument Landing System (ILS). The Chamber has formally requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to extend the benefits of RCS–UDAN to the city and resume flight operations as soon as possible. KKCCI emphasized that continued air connectivity is vital to promote investment, tourism and economic activity in the entire Kalyana region of Karnataka.
Special status ignored
KKCCI pointed out that Kalaburagi is a divisional headquarters and an emerging commercial center in the Kalyana region of Karnataka, which has a special status under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. The chamber highlighted that despite its “excellent infrastructure, industrial potential and educational institutions”, the region continues to be deprived of “fair political attention and representation”.
The report concluded that only “timely, coordinated and sincere efforts” at both levels of government coupled with proactive regional leadership can ensure Kalyana Karnataka’s “rightful place in the growth story of Karnataka” and make the desire for equitable progress a reality.
Published – 24 Oct 2025 21:21 IST
