Mumbai:
The work on doubling of track on the Konkan Railway, which passes through tough terrains, will begin from October 31, setting in motion an exercise that will fulfil the long-pending demand of people of Maharashtra and some adjoining States.
Announcing this here on Thursday, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said once completed the mammoth project, which is expected to cost Rs 11,000 crore, will help Konkan Railway (KR) earn more profit and serve passengers better.
"Doubling of the track will help Konkan Railway increase its passenger handling capacity, volume of profitability and also serve the people better," he said.
Mr Prabhu was addressing a function organised by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) as part of its silver jubilee celebrations. KRCL was formed in 1990.
Along with track doubling, Mr Prabhu said his Ministry is also going to simultaneously launch electrification of the entire stretch (760km) which will not only save the valuable diesel but will protect environment.
According to a senior KRCL official, the track doubling project is likely to cost over Rs 11,000 crore.
Mr Prabhu said State-run insurance behemoth LIC has come forward to give loans for the project at cheaper interest rates.
Mr Prabhu and his deputy Manoj Sinha expressed the hope that in the coming 25 years, Konkan Railway will emerge as an excellent organisation of Indian Railway.
KR runs from Roha in Raigad district adjoining Mumbai to Mangaluru in neighbouring Karnataka along the Konkan coast and also serves Goa. Considered an engineering marvel, it was constructed by KRCL, which also operates it.
The rail network passes through over 2,000 bridges and 91 tunnels built through mountainous terrain containing many rivers. It was the most challenging project for the Railway in the last century.