HMRDC has been set up by Ministry of Railways (Govt. of India),
Govt. of Karnataka and Rail Infrastructure Development Company
(Karnataka) Ltd. (K-RIDE) under the Companies Act, 1956.
New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) and Mineral Enterprises Ltd.(MEL)
have also participated in the venture as strategic partners.
The Company has been conferred with the rights to carry on the
business of development, establishment, financing, construction,
operations, maintenance and management of Hassan- Mangalore
railway link for a period of 32 years.
The Company operates and maintains the broad gauge line (BG)
between Hassan and the port of Mangalore, and for this
purpose about 183 kms of metre gauge (MG) has been converted
to broad gauge (BG) between Hassan and Mangalore.
HMRDC is headed by a Chief Executive Officer and managed by a
professional Board of Directors drawn from Government of
Karnataka, Ministry of Railways and users of the line.
Highlights of HMRDC Project:
The project is the First venture in the country promoted by a
State Govt. and the Ministry of Railways to execute and operate
a railway line.
This is the Second joint venture of the Ministry of Railways,
modeled on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) format.
This is the first SPV implementing a project involving train operations on a long ghat section.
The line provides a shorter and more convenient outlet for the cargo from the iron ore rich Hospet – Bellary and Chitradurga – Tumkur belts of Karnataka to the New Mangalore Port. Similarly, imported cargoes – coal, coke, fertilizer, and containerized cargo as also petroleum products and LPG from the Mangalore refinery are provided with a suitable connection to the hinterland.
The improved connectivity to the gateway port of Mangalore through the Hassan - Mangalore line has given a boost to the industrial activity in the hinterland centers - Tumkur, Tiptur, Ammasandra, Tornagallu and Davanagere.
With its commissioning, the direct rail link between the two important cities of Bangalore and Mangalore has been restored, serving as a convenient and alternative mode of travel of passengers.
