Kalaburagi commerce body protests dual connectivity crisis; calls for fair policy attention

The Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KKCCI) has strongly condemned what it calls a “dual blow” to the regional headquarters of Kalaburagi, citing the city’s exclusion from the newly announced Mumbai-Bengaluru high-speed rail route and the discontinuation of key flight services from its airport. The chamber, in a release issued on Friday, accused both the State and Union governments of “gross negligence,” which is severely impacting the region’s growth and causing “deep disappointment among citizens”.

Rail route

The KKCCI expressed serious concern over the decision to route the Mumbai-Bengaluru high-speed train via Hubballi, deliberately bypassing Kalaburagi. The chamber asserted that the Kalaburagi corridor is the central railway route connecting North and South India, and is technically superior, being fully electrified and capable of 130 kmph speeds. In contrast, the chosen Hubballi route is reportedly nearly 100 km longer.

The snub comes months after Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna visited the KKCCI on June 1. At that time, in response to a request for a direct superfast train between Kalaburagi and Bengaluru, the Minister had assured that “sweet news” would be forthcoming within six months. However, the latest announcements have been made in favour of Hubballi and Tumakuru, leaving Kalaburagi’s long-pending demands “unaddressed”. The KKCCI has now urged the concerned authorities to review this decision “in the spirit of balanced regional development”.

Air connectivity

In addition to the rail setback, Kalaburagi is reeling from the sudden discontinuation of flight services to crucial cities like Bengaluru, Tirupati, and Hindon (Delhi NCR). These routes, previously operated under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)–UDAN, have been suspended, causing “hardship to business travellers, students, and the general public”.

This air crisis persists despite the Kalaburagi Airport being equipped with modern infrastructure, including Night Landing and Instrument Landing System (ILS) capabilities. The chamber has formally requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to extend RCS–UDAN benefits to the city and restore flight operations at the earliest. KKCCI stressed that continued air connectivity is vital for promoting investment, tourism, and economic activity across the entire Kalyana Karnataka region.

Special status overlooked

The KKCCI highlighted that Kalaburagi is a divisional headquarters and an emerging commercial hub in the Kalyana Karnataka region, which holds a special status under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. The chamber emphasised that despite the region’s “excellent infrastructure, industrial potential, and educational institutions,” it continues to be deprived of “fair policy attention and representation”.

The release concluded that only “timely, coordinated, and sincere efforts” from both levels of government, coupled with proactive regional leadership, can ensure Kalyana Karnataka’s “rightful place in Karnataka’s growth story” and make the aspiration for equitable progress a reality.