PM Narendra Modi dedicates electrification of entire 740 kms KRCL route to the nation

Konkan Railway has been a dream come true for the people of the Konkan Region along the West Coast of the Country. It connects the people of this region to Mumbai the commercial capital of the Nation thus improving the economic opportunities for them

Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) was formed in 1990 as a Company to construct a Rail Link between Mumbai (Roha) to Mangaluru (Thokur). On 1st May 1998, Konkan Railway was dedicated to the Nation by the then Prime Minister, Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first train on the completed track was flagged off on January 26, 1998.

Konkan Railway has accomplished various infrastructure developments under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of the Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Patil Danve & Minister of State for Railways Smt. Darshana Jardosh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the Nation 100% Electrification of Konkan Railway route via video conference on 20th June, 2022 at Bengaluru, Karnataka under the “Mission 100% Electrification – Moving towards net Zero Carbon Emission” and flagged off Electric loco trains from Ratnagiri, Madgaon & Udupi. The total cost of the project is ₹1287 Crore.

Konkan Railway passes through dense forest cover of Sahyadri hills along the Western Coastal Strip. This region is endowed with rich natural beauty.

Electrification of Konkan Railway route will not only prove to be a major step in conserving its rich natural heritage, flora & fauna of the region but also help in its economic development.

Since the alignment passes through geographically difficult terrain, there are a number of major bridges, deep cuttings and long tunnels on the route of KR.

There are 91 tunnels on the route and the total length of route in the tunneled section is 84.496 Km (about 11% of the total route length). Forced ventilation system has been provided in seven major long tunnels.

The transportation of heavy material to the work site was more difficult in the absence of motorable approaches at many work locations.

Execution of Railway Electrification work was a big challenge particularly during monsoon when flash floods & landslides/soil slip affected the work adversely in the deep and long cuttings.

Out of 350 cuttings, 66 cuttings are critical and vulnerable. Unlike other railways, foundation casting material had to be transported on rail which required operation blocks. This made the work even more complicated.

Railway Electrification of Konkan Railway has been completed in 5 phases i.e Thokur-Bijoor, Bijoor-Karwar, Karwar-Thivim, Thivim-Ratnagiri & Ratnagiri-Roha, the last section being Ratnagiri-Thivim which was commissioned on 28.03.2022. All loco pilots have been trained in a phased manner for running electric traction loco.

Now, Konkan Railway is 100% electrified. This will lead to higher operational efficiency and lower unit cost of transportation, thus benefiting the country as well as the Corporation.

It is worthwhile to note the numerous inherent benefits of electric traction i.e. Significant savings in fuel expenditure i.e more than ₹150 Cr. per annum, Seamless operation on Electric Traction, pollution free mode of transportation and Reduced dependence on HSD oil. Pollution free travel for the passengers especially when the train passes through the tunnels.

Electrification of the KRCL route will also improve the average speed and throughput of the section and will help in line capacity augmentation / utilization.

Konkan Railway always believes in providing better passenger amenities and infrastructure to its passengers for their comfortable and safe journey.

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