Patrons and passenger associations along the Konkan coast in Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra are upset that the Railway Ministry is not serious about augmenting infrastructure along the west coast by neither funding Konkan Railway Corporation’s capital expenditure nor taking steps to merge fund-starved KRCL with Indian Railways.
“Why would State Governments fund capital expenditure of KRCL? Does the Union Government give any return on States’ investment, or exclusive rights to decide train timings and stoppages?”
Ashiwn Kenkare
Railway activist from Maharashtra
On December 17, their woes became more pronounced after the Karnataka government informed the Legislative Assembly that the Railway Ministry was yet to offer a better exit option from KRCL despite repeated reminders. The government, in response to the Ministry’s demand either to fund Konkan Railway’s capital expenditure of ₹9,158 crore or relinquish their stakes, had sought a better exit option. The Ministry, however, chose not to respond to Karnataka government.
