Bantwal: In a significant boost for train travelers in Dakshina Kannada, the Bantwal railway station is undergoing a comprehensive revamp under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with a total budget of ₹28.49 crore. The work, which picked up pace from January this year, is aimed at modernizing the station to meet rising passenger expectations.
The foundation stone was digitally unveiled in February 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA Rajesh Naik present at the local event. Over a year has passed since then, and while several improvements are visible, many elements are still under construction.
Once complete, Bantwal station—an important stop on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru line—will offer enhanced passenger facilities. These include a spacious ticketing zone with advance booking, separate waiting rooms for men and women, a cafeteria, and four catering outlets. Clean, modern toilets on each platform, extended shelters, and granite flooring in key areas are being added for comfort and hygiene.
Digital upgrades include CCTV coverage, Wi-Fi connectivity, and LED displays for real-time train updates. The station’s main entrance is also being beautified to improve aesthetics.
Though work moved slowly until December, recent months have seen a surge in speed. This acceleration has prompted concerns from locals about quality, but project engineers assure that a monitoring agency is closely supervising all phases.
MP Capt Brijesh Chowta confirmed that multiple stations, including Bantwal, are progressing swiftly under the scheme and that completion is a top priority.
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