Presentation by Ravi S and Viswanath Bhavi (of Bijapur MG progess monitoring committee)

294 km MG line from solapur to gadag was constructd in 1930 

GC started in under project Unigauge, 1996 and it wented into hibernation due to blame game and insufficient funds

51 days relay hunger strike – Gandhigiri by the progress monitoring committee

Golgumbuz link was broken. No progress.

 Next step taken  was, to file a PIL for this ill GC project.

Court passed order to state govt. and Rlys to release fund for total 390 crs.

After the conversion was over, no trains were started – probably no netas for the inauguration.

 Basawa Express was the first train to be flagged off.

Gadag to Bagalkot MG link remains to be converted. GC work has started.

A new north-south link will open after this.

Mr. Bhavi shares his views 

He says, “I’m not a Engineer, I’m not a graduate, I’m a simple person”.  Money alloted for this project was diverted. Three times, people of Bijapur resorted to Bandh. People burnt two bogies. Some work started. I decided to approach the court”.

“Court issued notices to Railways, State Govt. They filed replies. Court uphold the  petition, rejecting the replies since the rails were uprooted and there was no material for BG”

Two orders were issued. GC between Bagalkot and Bijapur should complete in Mar 2006. Services should start in June 2006. Bagalkot-Gadag should be completed by Dec 2007. Bagalkot-Gadag is getting completed in April 2008

PIL costed 3-4 lakhs to Mr. Bhavi.

Some politicians called him and beat him for taking up this issue.