Somanna lays foundation stone for RoB in Ajjampura

Minister of State for Railways V Somanna and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary along with other officials laid the foundation stone for the construction of a railway bridge at Ajjampura in Chikkamagaluru district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Special Event

Minister of State for Railways V Somanna on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a Road Over Bridge (RoB) at Ajjampura level crossing in Chikkamagaluru district.

The Ministry of Railways took over the project at a cost of ₹50.48 crore. It would benefit the people of Ajjampur.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Somanna said that the railway network is a symbol of the nation’s progress and expansion of the railway network would benefit the people in many ways.

Responding to the demands of the people of Chikkamagaluru, the minister said that the railway station at Tarikere has remained neglected for decades. Directing officials to upgrade it under Gati Shakti or any other scheme, he said the work would be completed in 15 to 20 months.

The minister said the Prime Minister has directed that no level crossings (LCs) remain within 100 km of Bengaluru. In Karnataka, 707 LC gates have already been removed and replaced with flyovers or footbridges and the remaining more than 400 gates will be closed in the next two years, he said.

The ₹70 crore RoB project on the Chikkamagaluru–Birur route has already been approved and work will start soon, he said. The development work at Chikkamagaluru railway station has been done at a cost of ₹22 crore, the minister said.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary said the RoB proposal was under discussion since it was elected. It was now cleared and work was started within a year and a half.

He called for quality construction to be ensured and the bridge to be opened to the public as soon as possible. He also proposed that four trains — including the Yashwanthpur–Vasco da Gama Express and Gol Gumbaz Express — halt at Ajjampura station.

GH Srinivas, Tarikere MLA, SL Bhoje Gowda, MLC and others were present on the programme.

Published – 31 May 2026 19:16 IST