Shivamogga: Central Minister for Railways and Water Resources V. Somnath said the central government has taken a historic decision to approve 9,000 crore rupees for the continued development of Konkan Railway and the state's railway sector.

After holding a review meeting on the progress of railway development works in the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency, he said that railway projects are being planned and implemented with a vision for the next 25 to 30 years. He also said that the contractors of the Shivamogga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur railway project will be included in the black list.

Requests related to railway connectivity and infrastructure development in the Mangalore, Udupi, and Shivamogga regions have been reviewed. He clarified that survey work for the Shivamogga-Shringeri-Mangalore railway route, approved in 2018, has already been initiated in 2025.