Konkan Railway’s merger with Indian Railways will result in massive economic development of Karnataka: Kota tells Patil

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary met Karnataka Infrastructure Development Department Minister M.B. Patil along with MLAs from Udupi district urging the Minister to relinquish State’s share in Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., in favour of Indian Railways for the development of Railway network in coastal Karnataka on Monday, March 17, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary on Monday, March 17, impressed upon Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil thatKonkan Railway Corporation’s Limited (KRCL) merger with the Indian Railways (IR) will usher in massive economic development in the State in general and in the coast in particular.

He was meeting the Minister along with five MLAs of Udupi district, V. Sunil Kumar, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Yashpal Suvarna, A .Kiran Kumar Kodgi and Gururaj Gantihole at the latter’s residence in Bengaluru. Even after three decades of its commissioning, Konkan Railway has remained a single line network thereby lagging massively behind from the rest of the country in terms of Railway Infrastructure and consequent regional development.

The insufficient infrastructure has resulted in 175% capacity utilisation of the network and also thwarting further introduction of new passenger and freight trains, the MP said in his memorandum. While Indian Railway network has been witnessing massive development, KRCL was unable to follow the suit because of perpetual funds crunch. Konkan Railway does not receive any budgetary support as it is a separate corporation whereas railway network across the country receive financial support, the MP said.

Mr. Poojary noted that Karnataka had invested about ₹200 crore in KRCL during its formation with the IR investing 50% and the rest was invested by Maharashtra, Goa and Kerala. In the last three decades, Karnataka must have got back dividends for its investment by way of improved economic activities in the region. Now it is time for the State to relinquish its share on the lines of Goa to ensure enhanced economic development, the MP argued. As per the original agreement, KRCL should have merged with the IR after 10 years of its commissioning, he added. He asked the Minister to convey State’s stand on the issue to the Railway Ministry at the earliest.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and discussed merger of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., with Indian Railways among other issues on Monday, March 17, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Later in the day, Mr. Poojary also met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and discussed the merger issue among other things.

Suitable decision

Responding to the demand, Mr. Patil said the government would take a suitable decision on the issue soon. “I’ll discuss the issue with officials concerned,” Mr. Patil said in a statement.

Published – March 17, 2025 08:27 pm IST

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