While joining the nation in mourning the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, residents of Hubballi recalled his public speeches in the city and the two major railway projects he initiated.
Mr. Vajpayee laid the foundation stone for the century old Hubli-Ankola railway line project in 1999 and subsequently won over the people of the region by laying the foundation stone for the newly-formed South Western Railway at Hubballi.
While the Hubballi-Ankola project is yet to take off owing to lack of environmental clearance, the establishment of South Western Railway’s headquarters in Hubballi will always be remembered by the people of the region.
In fact by coming down to Hubballi to lay the foundation stone for the new railway zone, Mr. Vajpayee had ended an emotional campaign in support of the zone that extended to several years.
Zonal railway HQ
The struggle for getting the zonal railway headquarters to Hubballi (then Hubli) which began in 1990s, encountered hurdles after the H.D. Deve Gowda government, which announced formation of the new railway zones in 1996, tried to make Bengaluru (then Bangalore) the headquarters. The issue was dragged to court by a Janata Dal leader, with BJP leaders opposing it and finally winning the legal battle in favour of Hubballi. The issue helped the party get political mileage.
Even before becoming PM, Mr. Vajpayee had visited Hubballi on occasions; visited houses of BJP leaders; and took part in election rallies. At least three BJP leaders from Hubballi owe their political career to Mr. Vajpayee.
While a political novice Jagadish Shettar became an MLA in 1994, Vijay Sankeshwar became an MP in 1999. It was Vajpayee’s influence that helped another political novice Pralhad Joshi get elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004.
In the morning, special poojas were conducted at some temples in Hubballi following the leader’s demise. Condolence meetings were held at few locations.