Maharashtra: Konkan Railway expands! Takes charge of Metro as well as cross-border line

The ongoing work on Konkan Railway line

The Konkan Railway on Thursday announced that it had taken over operations of the Navi Mumbai Metro and the 35-km India-Nepal rail line. It also plans to double sections of its main line along the western coast to boost capacity. The Konkan Railway stated that it had already submitted a comprehensive plan for "patch doubling" to the railway board for approval. With this patch doubling, the railway would be able to operate more trains. Currently, it operates 52 mail express trains and 18 freight trains daily.

"We will be looking at doubling the length of the line in patches and sections like Madgaon to Thokur and Kankavali to Sawantwadi. We are waiting for approval from the railway board," Konkan Railway Chairman and Managing Director Santosh Kumar Jha said. The Konkan Railway operates a 741-km route stretching from Roha in Maharashtra to Thokur in Karnataka. It was electrified in March 2022. The line has 68 stations and four halt stations.

Navi Mumbai Metro

Speaking on monsoon preparedness, Jha said a series of comprehensive measures had been implemented to prepare for the challenges posed by the monsoon, focusing on infrastructure upkeep, enhanced patrolling, and emergency preparedness. "These efforts are aimed at minimising disruptions and ensuring smooth and safe operation of trains, even under adverse weather conditions," he added.

Speaking on upgrading Sawantwadi Terminus, Jha said that Sawantwadi was a mid-station and had already been developed as per passenger footfall requirements. "At present, the facilities and amenities at Sawantwadi station are sufficient for the passenger footfall," he said.

Jha said the Konkan Railway was proud to take over operations of the Navi Mumbai Metro and the 35-km India-Nepal railway line between Jayanagar and Kurtha. The Jayanagar-Kurtha section consists of eight stations: Jayanagar in India, Inarwa (border station), Khajuri, Mahinathpur, Baidehi, Parwaha, Janakpur, and Kurtha. The Navi Mumbai Metro operates one of the smallest Metro trains in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with three coaches over the 11.10 km stretch from Belapur Terminus to Pendhar in Taloja. It has eight trains in its fleet.

Mumbai Metro adds 24 services for monsoon with a seven-minute headway, 24 additional services have been introduced on Mumbai Metro Red Line 7 and Yellow Line 2A, bringing the total to 282 services daily since Tuesday. "Rest assured, with three standby Metro trains, we are prepared for any emergencies. Mumbaikars are benefiting from increased services during peak hours to cater to the growing demand, especially during the monsoon season," a spokesperson said.