Patrons and passenger associations along the Konkan coast in Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra are upset that the Railway Ministry is not serious about augmenting infrastructure along the west coast by neither funding Konkan Railway Corporation’s capital expenditure nor taking steps to merge fund-starved KRCL with Indian Railways.
On December 17, their woes became more pronounced after the Karnataka government informed the Legislative Assembly that the Railway Ministry was yet to offer a better exit option from KRCL despite repeated reminders. The government, in response to the Ministry’s demand either to fund Konkan Railway’s capital expenditure of ₹9,158 crore or relinquish their stakes, had sought a better exit option. The Ministry, however, chose not to respond to Karnataka government.
Kundapura Railway Prayanikara Samithi President Ganesh Puthran alleged that Railway Ministry’s silence on Karnataka’s demand appears intentional. In the bargain, the west coast, including Karnataka, continues to suffer. While almost every crucial railway route has been doubled by the Indian Railways across India, the 749-km KRCL network, a crucial link from the south to the north, remains single-line even after three decades.
Ashiwn Kenkare, a railway activist from Maharashtra, wondered why State Governments should fund capital expenditure of KRCL. He asked whether the Union Government gave any return on States’ investments or exclusive rights to decide train timings and stoppages.
Another activist from Maharashtra, Akshay Mahapady, said in the tussle between the Central and State Governments, the Konkan region would continue to suffer in terms of poor railway infrastructure.
Gautam Shetty from Kundapura Samithi said Karnataka government has sent multiple reminders to the Railway Ministry in the last one year seeking suitable exit options. The Ministry did not give even a single reply, including to Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary who personally met Railway Board Chairperson in this regard. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that KRCL would be merged with Indian Railways if States exit, but remains mute when States seek an exit option, he said.
Uttara Kannada Railway Association Secretary Rajeev Gaonkar said KRCL is basically a construction company, not capable of railway operations. This has been proved in the last three decades of operations, he said.
Mr. Gaonkar accused KRCL of focusing on developing Roha-Madgaon stretch while neglecting the Karwar-Thokur stretch in Karnataka.
