Incomplete Gadag Station Inaugurated Virtually, Commuters Face Hazards

On May 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated 103 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, including the Gadag station in Karnataka, which saw investments of over ₹23 crore. Despite the ceremony, much of the work at Gadag remains unfinished.

Essential facilities like elevators and escalators are yet to become operational due to delays in power connections. Several basic amenities also remain incomplete, leading to public dissatisfaction. Station staff alleged that political motives influenced the rushed opening, overriding practical concerns.

Ganesh Singh Byali from the Betgeri Railway Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti criticized the move, calling it a classic example of bureaucrats yielding to political pressure. “With the PM inaugurating from Rajasthan, Gadag was declared open despite ongoing construction. Now, commuters navigate dangerous conditions—scattered building materials like tiles, pipes, and cement lie unattended,” he said.

He questioned the urgency behind the launch, arguing that South Western Railway (SWR) officials should have updated the Railway Ministry and the PMO about the incomplete work. Employees echoed the sentiment, describing the station as more of a dumping ground than a public facility.

HB Vaddatti, a traveller from Mundargi, visited the station on May 27 and was dismayed to find senior citizens and children struggling to reach platforms 2 and 3 due to non-functional lifts and escalators. Another commuter, Parvati Ningappa, shared her frustration, stating that the distance to the footbridge was unbearable for those with health issues.

CPRO Manjunath Kanamadi was unavailable for comment.

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