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Konkan Railway Merger With Indian Railways
In a bid to address longstanding concerns about the progress and development of the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL), voices in Maharashtra’s Konkan region are now joining the chorus for the merger of Konkan Railway with Indian Railways. Just as Coastal Karnataka residents are pushing for the integration, the Konkan Vikas Samiti in Maharashtra emphasizes that the financial constraints faced by KRCL could hinder its growth for decades. In this article, we explore the reasons behind this demand and its potential impact on the region.
Challenges Faced by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL)
Financial Constraints Affecting Progress
The Konkan Vikas Samiti, based in Mumbai and representing Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg regions of the Konkan region in Maharashtra, highlights the financial constraints faced by KRCL. According to the Samiti, these constraints are impeding the progress and expansion of the vital railway network, leading to hindered growth opportunities for Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.
Inadequate Progress: Doubling Project and Low-Level Platforms
Stagnation in Doubling Project and Passenger Inconvenience
The Samiti’s founding chairman, Jaywant Shankar Darekar, points out that the doubling project initiated by KRCL six years ago is not progressing well. Moreover, platforms at several intermediate stations are at a low level, causing inconvenience to passengers. These concerns prompted the Samiti to write a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on November 30, urging attention to the inadequacies and demanding the merger of KRCL with Indian Railways.
Konkan Railway Merger News: Samiti’s Proposal for Integration
Seamless Connectivity and Overall Development
Konkan Railway Merger With Indian Railways: The Konkan Vikas Samiti proposes the integration of the Roha-Madgaon section of KRCL with the Central Railway’s Mumbai Division and the Madgaon-Mangaluru section with South Western Railway’s Mysuru Division. According to Mr. Darekar, this integration would bridge crucial gaps in the transportation network, facilitating seamless travel between Mumbai and the Konkan region and between the Karnataka coast and Bengaluru. The Samiti envisions accelerated major infrastructure projects, the establishment of a dedicated freight corridor along the West Coast, and the development of terminal facilities at Sawantwadi, Ratnagiri, and Karwar. They believe that under Indian Railways, these projects could become a reality within 10 years, a stark contrast to the projected 40-50 years under KRCL.
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KRCL Unique Surcharge and Funding Constraints
Financial Burden on Passengers and Funding Challenges
Mr. Darekar points out that KRCL imposes a unique surcharge of 40% from passengers and 50% from freight traffic, burdening the common man. The Samiti believes that merging with Indian Railways would change this scenario, alleviating the burden on passengers. Additionally, the constant excuse of ‘funds constraint’ given by KRCL for development work could be mitigated if the network falls under the umbrella of Indian Railways.
Political Support and Union Minister’s Proposal
Backing from Political Figures
Konkan Railway Merger With Indian Railways: Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg MP Vinayak Raut echoed the Samiti’s views in a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on December 6. He emphasized that KRCL’s inability to augment infrastructure severely affects the Konkan region’s growth in Maharashtra. MP Raut strongly advocated for the merger of KRCL with Indian Railways for the overall development of the region.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, announced her proposal to merge Konkan Railway with Indian Railways on June 3. During a press conference in Udupi, Karandlaje expressed concerns about the underdevelopment of the railway sector in coastal Karnataka and proposed integrating Konkan Railway into the South Western Railway.
Conclusion
As the demand for the merger of Konkan Railway with Indian Railways gains momentum in Maharashtra’s Konkan region, it reflects a shared sentiment that such integration could pave the way for comprehensive development and address the challenges faced by KRCL. The proposal aims to not only enhance connectivity but also expedite critical infrastructure projects, presenting a promising future for the Konkan region.
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