Konkan Rail in Tulunadu, has made a huge difference to the common man in a multitude of  ways, let us recall the history to know the greatness, in Mangalore, the arrival of the first train was in 1907 it is well known. Kudla in Tulu, now officially Mangaluru,  the gateway of Karnataka and the only major city of the state to be a hub of multi-pronged 21st century communication -  road,rail, sea and air facilities to a highly advanced level in the modern world - you have it all here. In this article, Daijiworld  readers can glance at it....Tracking the region's progress, with regard to the railways it can never be forgotten that in 1907, the completion of the first 'Nethravathi Bridge'  also known as 'Ullal Bridge' and the construction of the 'Mangalore Railway Station' now known as 'Mangaluru Central' heralded the arrival of basic rail service to serve Kanara, beyond then 'Malabar',  in the respected 'South Kanara' of 'British Madras Presidency' currently 'Dakshina Kannada and Udupi' in Karnataka, a prominent Southern Coastal  State in the Republic of India.

 

 

Historicity Rail & Bridges:  With Nethravathi and Gurpura rivers encircling the city and merging with the Arabian Sea in the picturesque backdrop, it is an unforgettable fabric and experience for every Mangalorean of 'South Kanara' of old. The tile factories, fishing, green hills and dales, with  Aloysius College forming the original skyline, is the foundation of genuine nostalgia in the minds of folks aged 50 plus with the younger generation still surely aware; but the skyline is fast changing with giant skyscrapers, bright lights and so on.  Currently, a second major rail point has advanced, it is "Mangaluru Junction'  on the eastern outskirts.  The bridges are bastions of progress that established the Postal systems and made the region an education flagship catering to all of India and many world communities - local to global. The Indian Railway is now one of the biggest in the world, with an advanced degree of modernisation and public use - starting with steam locos, then diesel and now electrical are of the highest degree of efficiency. These railways are one of the biggest employers too with the best possible systems in place.

Morgan's Gate in the southernmost tip of the city is where the 1907 Rail Bridge ends a point filled with history - now multiple bridges rail and road have come up, and the area with additional rail lines and highway connecting North and South and Kerala will soon be unrecognisable.   Close to the expanded and electrified Nethravathi Cabin, at the point where the old 1907 first ever 700 meters 16 spans rail bridge ends was a humble stone slab that recorded history, it reads : " Madras Railway Nethravati Bridge, The last rivet was put in position and the bridge Formally declared completed by HE Sir Arthur Lawley KMCG CGIE Governor of Madras on the 4thy November  1907.  H J Thompson MICE  Chief Engineer, A S Napier MICE Exec Engineer. "  Indeed it was a bridge that unified people and never a wall that divided.   Although Mangalore was connected by rail with Calicut (now Kozhikode) and Madras in 1907, there is little evidence of regular train services until 1914. Later in 1929, the pioneer Grand Trunk Express was introduced that ran for 104 hours, through the length of the coast from Mangalore to Peshawar now in Pakistan, then the longest train route. The Madras-Mangalore Mail had "Train No 1 Mail" for several years. The development of Indian Railways is admired and is making huge strides and is near a world class.

Konkan Rail:  Konkan Rail passenger services chugging at full speed on the West Coast, from May 1998, triumphantly  marked its  Silver Jubilee in May 2023.  The Konkan Railway (abbreviated KR) is headquartered at CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The first passenger train ran on Konkan railway on 20 March 1993, between Udupi and Mangalore. During its initial years of operation in the mountainous Konkan region, a number of accidents prompted Konkan Railway to implement new technology. Anti-collision devices, the Sky Bus and roll-on/roll-off are several of the railway's innovations. The 756.25 km (469.91 mi) long railway line connects the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The first train on the completed track was sent off on 26 January 1998.

In 1957 an aerial survey was conducted of the area between Dasgaon, Raigad District in Maharashtra and Mangalore with the object of studying the possibilities of railway development in this region. The long-pending demand of this region was fulfilled by George Fernandes who was the Railway minister in V.P. Singh's government, backed by then Finance minister Madhu Dandavate and Vice Chairman of Planning Commission Ramakrishna Hegde.They set up Konkan Railway Corporation Limited headed by E.Sreedharan for executing Konkan railway line.  The project involved over 2,116 bridges  and 92 tunnels and was the largest railway project of the century in Asia.  The route covers three states,  Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, each of which agreed to provide financing.Contracts for the project were given to construction firms which included Larsen & Toubro who were given a major part of the project, Gammon India and Afcons.

Services between Mumbai and Mangalore remained on hold due to a tunnel at Pernem, which experienced repeated cave-ins and flooding. The tunnel was finally completed in January 1998.  Passenger service on the entire route, between Mumbai and Mangalore, began in May 1998.  The 756.25-kilometre (469.91 mi) railway has a total track length of 900 kilometres (560 mi). Its length through Maharashtra is 361 kilometres (224 mi), through Karnataka 239 kilometres (149 mi), and 156.25 kilometres (97.09 mi) through Goa.

 

Konkan Railway (KRCL) is currently undergoing major capacity expansion and modernization, including a ?22.80 crore restructuring plan, new tunneling projects, and electrification initiatives. Key developments include station upgrades at Udupi and Mulki, planned expansion in Corlim, and intensified passenger services and infrastructure projects.   Key Infrastructure and Network Expansion (2025–2026).....Capacity Enhancement,  A 3rd financial restructuring proposal focuses on boosting operational efficiency in Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.  New Tunnels & Stations,  Construction of two new tunnels at Pernem and Old Goa is underway, alongside new crossing stations at Mayem, Neura-O-Grande, and Mookambika Road–Byndoor to reduce congestion.  Doubling Works: Work is progressing on the Roha-Veer track doubling. Station Upgrades,  Major redevelopment is occurring, including the installation of 3 lifts at Udupi, high-level platforms at Mulki and Barkur, and extended platforms at Padubidri.  Land Acquisition: Land acquisition has begun in the Corlim area for project-related work.  Operations and Partnerships / NHAI Collaboration,  An agreement with NHAI focuses on integrated rail-road infrastructure, multi-modal logistics, and safety improvements. Ro-Ro Services: The railway is exploring expanded Roll On Roll Off (Ro-Ro) services for car transportation during the Ganpati festival. Safety Features: New AI-based track monitoring and safety measures are being implemented to prevent debris-related risks.  Technological Advancement Electrification,  Following the completion of the 100% electrification project, efforts focus on managing traffic through advanced signaling. Advanced Trains, The network is gearing up for faster trains (up to 220 kmph) under the new Indian Railways timetable.

Smart City: Projects can revolutionize the entire city and its logistics in a couple of years it seems.  This is of course the case in many smaller cities of India right now.  The Smart city projects in Mangalore city by MSCL,  have been on-going to the discomfort and stress of its denizens. The work in slow progress is vastly unpredictable and confusing. Recently the upheaval around Mahakalipadapu, Morgan's Gate and Mangalore Club has left people in shock.  One segment, that is the riverfront, from Nethravathi Bridge to Thaneer Bhavi on the western sea face of the city.

It must be noted that the general area earmarked for  development now is the original part and parcel that is from ancient times the actual part of the historic town of Kudla (Mangaluru and its many names); getting its name from the 'Goddess Mangaladevi', whose 2000 year old temple stands in this main area near where the two rivers meet and flow in to the great Arabian Sea.  Just behind the Mangaladevi Temple beside the banks of the rivers and opposite the spot of the rivers joining the Sea was the original fort of the Portuguese who landed there in early 1500 AD.  Islam came much earlier in mid 600 AD and landmark historical monuments can be seen to this day.  Suitable scientific  development and preservation of the historical aspects for posterity is very essential, but poor.

With an advanced road/highway network through Mangaluru to the South (Kerala), it was essential to eliminate the serious bottleneck of two railway gates/crossings at Mahakalipadappu.  Two box type underpasses have been completed streamlining the four lane concrete road taken up with new approach roads formed across Morgan's Gate, Mahakalipadappu and Jeppinamogaru. This will provide a seamless flow of road and rail traffic. It is stated that the Bundar Goods shed is to move to Ullal,  will two cumbersome railway gates at Pandeshwar and Hoige Bazar allow free flow of road traffic in due time.  Promenade development is a main feature of the project, including  setting up a biodiversity park and creation of a bird-watching area near the Netravati railway bridge, building a path, 6 mts width for a stretch of 2.1 km, and a cycle track of 3 m width from the bridge to Bolar.

Recalling the hoary Tuluva past, indeed the enlightened citizens of this educated and cultured multi cultural community appreciate and  as time immemorial mingle in unity in diversity and contribute to development at all times. It must be pointed out that in spite of efforts from all sources since two decades, the administration of the Railhead in Mangaluru has been bogged down as an appendix of the Kerala based Palakkad Division;  Mangalore is composite part of Karnataka and needs to be an Independent region in view of it's high profile development needs.  Hopefully the new format of the city will bring satisfaction, joy, safety and convenience to each and all who live in Mangaluru and pass by / visit this beautiful nature blessed city for centuries to come.

As far as Railways and transport infrastructures, ancient pioneers and recently George Fernandes for Konkan Railway and British Economist and Banker E B Palmer who are to be remembered when we modern Mangaloreans enjoy the connectivity. But, one very serious deficiency of note is that huge numbers of new recruits are noted to be from North India and rarely a local is seen, this disparity needs rational and lawful correction in most spheres of recruitment in the near future.  The new formats of rail service - Vande Bharat and many more updates has taken travel to new hights competing with air travel .  Yet these are much to be desired and hopefully the present Governments will do well to take forward the modernization and go wholly Tuluva/ Kannadiga  before 2027 when the Mangaluru railways here marks 120 years of rapid development and high flown systematic technology to change the shape of Indian Railways.