Konkan Railway spends Rs 90 crore on geo-safety

Mumbai, Nov 1 (UNI) Giving paramount importance to passengers safety, Konkan Railway has spent Rs 90 crore on geo-safety works during last five years which includes large scale plantation of Vetiver during the last two years, which have proved to be very successful in controlling falling of boulders and landslides, an official statement said today.

The statement was issued after the eight meeting of the Konkan Railway Users Consultative Committee (KRUUC) held at the Konkan Railway corporate office in Belapur yesterday.

The meeting was chaired by Anurag Mishra, Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation, and Chairman of the Konkan Railway Users Consultative Committee (KRUUC) and attended by Rajya Sabha MP C H Kunhambu, legislators from Kerala and Goa, representaives from Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce&Industries and Goa Chamber of Commerce&Industries, besides, representatives from Passenger Associations from Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.

Briefing the Commitee members, Mr Mishra said the Corporation's operating surplus had reached to Rs 139 crore, while the project surplus was standing at Rs 18 crore.

According to Mr Mishra, providing accident-free services in the last three years with improved safety performance and introduction of 300 Summer Special and 66 Ganpati Special trains during 2006-07 as compared to 220&66 Special Trains during last financial year were a notable feat.

In addition, some of the important trains have been augmented from 21 to 23 coaches, while some other trains from 18 to 21 coaches, he said.

Mr Mishra also informed the Committee members that Konkan Railway has decided to invite ''Global Expression of Interest'' for Sky Bus Metro Project.

UNI