Konkan Railway, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and challenging railway lines in India, will now be part of the Indian Railway. The Maharashtra government finally approved the merger on April 7, after which this historic step was taken. Konkan Railway was established in 1979. Its aim was to connect the remote hills of the Western Ghats and the coastal areas of Konkan to the railway network. The railway line starts from Roha in Maharashtra and goes to the coast of Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. Its total length is about 5 kilometers and it was an engineering miracle itself. The train was constructed by cutting rocks in the Western Ghats and building hundreds of bridges and tunnels. The Railways formally started its service in January 1979.
The main objective of Konkan Railway was to provide good transportation facilities to the people of Konkan, facilitate the transportation of goods and passengers, and financial development of the region. This railway is not just a means of transportation but a symbol of Konkan’s cultural and historical identity. The then Defense Minister George Fernandes was a major contribution to completing the project, which took it as a mission.
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Who owned the Konkan Railway?
Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) was established as a special purpose vehicle with a joint partnership of the Central Government and four states. These states included Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. The central government had a 5% share, while the remaining share was divided into four states. Maharashtra had invested more than Rs. 909 crore in this project, so Maharashtra was the most important shareholder in this merger decision. The company was built under the Railway Ministry, but it was working as a separate unit from the Indian Railways.
Why was the merger decision?
Although the Konkan Railway has played an important role in the development of the region, in the last few years, she has faced many financial and operational challenges. While the railway income was limited, the need to upgrade and expand its infrastructure was huge. The debt burden on the Konkan Railway was also increasing, which had reached Rs 90 crore. In addition, this is the one -way railway, which caused problems in the movement and expansion of the trains.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the merger of the Konkan Railway to the Indian Railways could become part of the Indian Railway investment. This will not only improve the financial condition of the railway but also accelerate the modernization of the railway routes, doubled and security measures. Goa, Karnataka and Kerala had already approved Wiliganika, but the consent of Maharashtra was delayed because he was worried about his initial investment and recognition of the Konkan Railway.
The situation and merger process of Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government had laid two important conditions for this merger. The first condition was that even after the merger, its name should remain Konkan Railway, so that its regional and historical identity remains unchanged. Secondly, the Indian Railways will have to repay the investment of Rs. The central government accepted these conditions, after which Maharashtra showed the green lantern to the merger.
Now the matter is with the Railway Board, which will take administrative, financial and legal steps to complete this merger. For this process, the role of the employees, the workspace and the service agreements will have to be reconsidered.
What will change for travelers?
Travelers are expected to get many benefits after the merger. First of all, the Konkan Railway Services will be combined with the centralized ticket and grievance redressal system of the Indian Railway, which will make it easier for ticket booking and grievance redressal. In addition, the rent can be reduced. The modernization of railway routes will increase the number of trains, improve security measures and improve connectivity. This will not only give the people of Konkan a good travel experience, but will accelerate the economic development of the area.
Regional and economic economic
Konkan Railway is not only a train route, but a financial lifestyle connecting the four coastal states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. This merger will accelerate the development of infrastructure in this region, which will create new opportunities for business, tourism and employment. In particular, the duplication of the Konkan Railway and the modernization of stations will strengthen the railway services in the region.
