Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday urged the Union government to merge the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) with Indian Railways, citing a host of operational challenges faced by the corporation.
Fadnavis, in a joint press conference with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, called for the integration of Konkan Railway into the national railway system, pointing out that the corporation’s current status as a standalone entity hinders its development and expansion.
“We have requested the Union government that Konkan Railway should be inducted into Indian Railways as part of the national network. Currently, it functions as a corporation, and this structure is preventing the timely development of essential infrastructure, including the doubling of railway lines and other upgrades,” said Fadnavis.
The Konkan Railway, which was established in 1990, serves the coastal regions of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. Despite its strategic importance and significant role in facilitating regional connectivity, the railway corporation has faced difficulties in scaling up its operations due to its limited autonomy as a corporation.
The state governments of Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala have also voiced similar concerns, with all four beneficiary states agreeing on the need to merge the corporation with Indian Railways.
“Similar demands have been made by the state governments of Goa and Karnataka as well,” Fadnavis added. The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s statement underscores the growing support for this proposal, which has now received backing from all the states that are stakeholders in the Konkan Railway project.
The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) was initially set up under the initiative of the four states in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Railways. However, the current structure has led to operational inefficiencies, particularly when it comes to crucial projects like the expansion of tracks and the modernization of facilities.
“Merging Konkan Railway with Indian Railways, according to proponents, will not only streamline operations but also facilitate faster development and the introduction of new services to meet the growing transportation needs of the region” said an official.
