Decks have been cleared for the doubling and electrification of the entire Konkan Railway track, with the Central government reportedly clearing the ambitious project. rnStating this while interacting with media persons in New Delhi on Saturday
PANAJI
Decks have been cleared for the doubling and electrification of the entire Konkan Railway track, with the Central government reportedly clearing the ambitious project.
Stating this while interacting with media persons in New Delhi on Saturday, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Shiv Sena leader Anant Gite said that Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu would make an official announcement to this effect on October 15, which marks the silver jubilee of Konkan Railway.
Stating that the doubling of the railway track would be between Roha (Maharashtra) and Mangalore (Karnataka), Gite also stated that the entire 741-km railway route, which passed through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala, would also be electrified as part of the project.
It may be recalled that Prabhu had assured the doubling of Konkan Railway track, while attending a function in Margao, as it would boost passenger and freight transportation along the Konkan region.
According to media reports, the doubling and electrification project will also include the development of 28 railway stations between Goa and Kerala, while new stations will also be created. The railway stations at Sawantwadi and Thivim will also be converted into major railway terminus.
At present, there are 68 trains plying daily along the Konkan Railway route and this number could go up to 120 trains with the doubling of the railway tracks.
While entire development of the Konkan railway track is estimated to cost Rs 10,450 crore, the cost to double the railway track is estimated at Rs 1,500 crore, while the cost to electrify the entire 741-km Konkan Railway route is about Rs 720 crore, Prabhu had said.
With the electrification of the entire route, the Konkan Railways is expected to save about Rs 100 crore per year as the trains currently run on diesel.
The development plans along the Konkan Railway route also include tourism development projects such as hotels and super fast trains for tourists.
Earlier, the Konkan Railway Corporation’s proposal to enhance its carrying capacity had been approved by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
