Maharashtra Approves Konkan Railway Merger with Indian Railways
Maharashtra Approves Konkan Railway Merger with Indian Railways
Maharashtra state is set to soon communicate its approval to the Union Railway Ministry regarding the merger.
Three state governments—Kerala, Goa, and Karnataka—have consented to the merger of Konkan Railway with Indian Railways. Additionally, Maharashtra is open to approval, on the condition that the name Konkan Railway is preserved, as stated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during a session at the Maharashtra legislature on Tuesday.
The Konkan Railway, launched in the 1990s, is a collaborative project that is jointly owned by the railway ministry and funded by the governments of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
“The issue of merger of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) with Indian Railways has been pending for several years. At present, being a corporation, it has restricted finance avenues and a large number of works like doubling and upgrading other assets have remained limited. Once the merger happens, Indian Railways can fund and finance it in a better way,” Fadnavis said.
The announcement came as a reply to a query posed by BJP’s Pravin Darekar in the state’s upper house legislature.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has consented to Maharashtra’s request to keep the name.
The chief minister further said that the state will soon convey their consent to the Union railway ministry regarding the merger.
The Konkan Railway serves as the crucial connection between Mumbai, India’s commercial hub, and Mangalore. This 741-kilometer railway line links the states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.
At present, KRCL operates as a public sector enterprise under the oversight of the Indian Railways.
“After the merger, Konkan Railway will receive more funds for doubling of tracks, modernization of stations, and implementation of accident-prevention measures,” says railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
