Karwar: The much-awaited Hubballi-Ankola railway line will become a reality soon with the Union government deciding to take up construction of this line at any cost, Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu said.

Prabhu, who was in Karwar on Thursday for the commencement of work to improve various passenger amenities and inaugurate other amenities in Karwar region, said the Hubballi-Ankola line is very important in the view of defence (INS Kadamba naval base), export and transportation of goods in North Karnataka.

He said that railway officials held discussions with senior officers of the Karnataka government last week for the implementation of the project, and the outcome was positive. Reacting to reports that the committee appointed by the MoEF to conduct environment assessment in the region had reported to the government that the project would lead to widespread destruction of the forest, Prabhu said a new report will be readied by the state government and submitted to the MoEF. Again, the railway department and state government would seek the permission of the National Green Tribunal.

He said the railways providing various facilities to users which would boost tourism in coastal Karnataka. Tejas Express, a five-star luxury train which runs between Goa and Mumbai, will be extended up to Karwar, and discussion with CM Siddaramaiah and industries minister R V Deshpande will be held soon, he said. Local self-help women's groups would be included to provide services to the passengers and the groups will make local good, market them and also take up e-catering.

The railway department increased aid to the Karnataka government by 300% in the past two budget years to strengthen the infrastructure in the state. All railway lines have been converted into broad gauge, he said. Apart from this, 8.5 lakh crores were invested this year by the Railways all over India, Prabhu said.

A second platform will be constructed at Karwar railway station and DEMU rail, which runs between Karwar and Goa every day, will get new engines and bogeys, he said. The railway department would provide drinking water facility to Shirwad gram panchayat near Karwar. The department has decided to grow 5 crore trees alongside railway tracks all over India.

An institute to train youths in the technical field will be built in Goa in the name of former railway minister George Fernandes and a skill institute will be built in Karnataka in memory of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde, Prabhu added.