Konkan Railway to Merge with Indian Railways, Maharashtra Seeks to Keep Its Name
Three states—Kerala, Goa, and Karnataka—have agreed to merge Konkan Railway with Indian Railways. Maharashtra is also open to the merger but wants the name “Konkan Railway” to remain unchanged, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in the Maharashtra legislature on Tuesday.
Konkan Railway, launched in the 1990s, is a joint project funded by the railway ministry and the governments of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
“The merger has been under discussion for years. Right now, as a corporation, Konkan Railway has limited funding options, which has slowed down projects like track doubling and upgrades. Once merged, Indian Railways will be able to provide better financial support,” Fadnavis explained in response to a question by BJP’s Pravin Darekar.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has agreed to Maharashtra’s request to retain the Konkan Railway name. The Maharashtra government will soon give its formal approval to the Union railway ministry.
Konkan Railway plays a key role in connecting Mumbai, India’s financial capital, with Mangalore. The 741-kilometer railway line passes through Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.
Currently, Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) is a public sector company under Indian Railways. After the merger, the railway will receive more funds for track doubling, station modernization, and safety improvements, Railway Minister Vaishnaw confirmed.
