Daijiworld Media Network - Chitradurga

Chitradurga, May 18: Union minister of state for railways V Somanna on Saturday assured that efforts are underway to merge the Konkan Railway with Indian Railways.

Speaking to reporters, he said that the matter was taken up soon after he assumed office as union minister. A meeting was held in Mangaluru, and a formal request has been submitted to Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to initiate the merger process, he added.

Referring to a request made by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Somanna explained that both the Maharashtra and Karnataka governments need to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before the merger process can proceed.

He said that such a merger would mark a new chapter of development, both for the states and especially for the coastal region. He also acknowledged that the hard work of former defence minister George Fernandes had played a crucial role in the establishment and operation of the Konkan Railway Corporation.