Work on the much delayed doubling of railway line in central Karnataka is expected to start soon with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approving the 190-km stretch between Hubballi-Chikjajur at a cost of Rs 1,294 crore.

The project covering areas of Chitradurga, Davangere, Haveri and Dharwad districts, is expected to be completed in four-and-a-half years, said an official statement.

Aiming at better railway connectivity between Mumbai-Bengaluru, the Railway Ministry had planned to double the entire stretch from Pune-Miraj-Hubballi-Bengaluru. On this route, doubling of line between Bengaluru-Tumakuru and Arsikere-Chikjajur have already been completed, while works are under progress between Hubballi-Londa part of Hubballi-Londa-Vasco-da-Gama line. Doubling of Pune-Bengaluru line will help smooth movement of goods as well as passenger traffic. This apart, the route will also provide link from central Karnataka to Mangaluru port, said an official from the Railways.

The Railways is keen on starting the work at the earliest as availability of land is not an issue. The South Western Railway is in possession of major portions of land required for the project, he said.