Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 15: Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary on Wednesday met Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and sought the state government's support for merging the Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC) with Indian Railways to facilitate its modernisation and long-pending infrastructure development.

Submitting a memorandum to the chief minister, Poojary said the Konkan Railway, which has largely remained a single-line railway for nearly three decades, requires substantial upgrades, including doubling of tracks and improved infrastructure, to meet the growing transportation needs of the coastal region.

He pointed out that the benefits of the existing Konkan Railway network are currently limited to the coastal districts and stressed that integration with Indian Railways would accelerate development and enable the Centre to undertake major infrastructure projects.

The MP also recalled that during the establishment of the Konkan Railway under the leadership of late George Fernandes, participating states had invested through equity shares. He noted that Kerala and Goa have already relinquished their respective shares and urged the Karnataka government to do the same to facilitate the merger and support the railway's expansion.

Poojary informed the chief minister that coastal MPs Brijesh Chowta and Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri also support the proposal and share the common objective of securing the Konkan Railway's development through the Central government.

Kundapur MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi was also present during the meeting and shared his inputs on the proposal.

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar assured the MP of the state government's full cooperation in efforts aimed at the development and modernisation of the Konkan Railway.