Konkan Railway Seeks Nod for 350 km Track Doubling to Boost Capacity

The Konkan Railway Corporation (KR) is actively seeking approval from the Railway Board to initiate track doubling across select sections of its 741-km corridor, which traverses through the challenging terrains of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and a small part in Kerala. This development was shared by Santosh Kumar Jha, the Chief Managing Director of Konkan Railway, highlighting the strategic move aimed at enhancing the railway's operational capacity.

Jha revealed plans for doubling tracks over a 350 km stretch between Kankavali-Sawantwadi and Madgaon-Thokur stations, a proposal that was submitted to the board approximately a year ago. The initiative is seen as a step towards addressing the limitations posed by single-track segments, particularly in facilitating the smooth operation of the railway's daily roster of 52 passenger and 18 goods trains.

Despite the existing double line spanning about 50 km between Roha and Veer stations, the predominance of single-track operations has imposed constraints on service expansion. Jha emphasized the economic implications of such an undertaking, noting that while track doubling on flat terrains could cost between Rs 15 to 20 crore, expenses could surge to Rs 80 to 100 crore in hilly regions due to the complex geography.

The ambitious project is not expected to face significant hurdles in terms of land acquisition, as sufficient land was procured during the initial establishment phase of Konkan Railway. However, operational challenges persist, particularly during the monsoon season when the risk of boulder falls, landslides, and track washouts necessitates a reduction in train speeds and services for safety reasons.

In light of these developments, Jha also shared insights into Konkan Railway's financial performance and future outlook. For the fiscal year 2022-23, KR achieved a milestone by crossing a turnover of Rs 5,000 crore and recording a net profit of Rs 279 crore. This follows a profit after tax of Rs 301 crore in the previous fiscal year. Over the past decade, KR has invested Rs 104.5 crore in enhancing passenger amenities across its network, which includes 68 stations and four halts.

Looking ahead, Jha expressed KR's commitment to further improving passenger services and increasing freight operations. An additional investment of about Rs 5.5 crore is earmarked for passenger amenities this year. Moreover, in response to concerns over overcrowding during the annual Ganpati festival, plans are underway to increase the number of special trains to accommodate the surge in passengers.

This initiative underscores Konkan Railway's dedication to not only bolstering its infrastructure but also ensuring safer and more efficient travel experiences for its passengers amidst the geographical challenges it faces.