Ballari Jn - Look around and enjoy the station. A sacred place where Mahatma Gandhi once spent 8 hours. - Vishwanath Joshi

KRCL presently is on the threshold of upgradation from a mere railway JV between IRly and 3 states, to a full-fledged Railway network system akin to a zonal Railway. Hence KR definitely need young and energetic leader to accomplish the multiple tough tasks in hand especially of expansion/ modernisation (in addition to usual task of train operation in a tough hilly terrain) i.e.
(1) doubling of entire KR track - (augment the through traffic- both volume, speed, punctuality)
(2) Electrification of KR- (Save fuel cost, Increase speed, environment friendly, operational...
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ease by eliminating loco changes at Roha & Manglore as Shoranur-Manglore electrification is almost over and Panvel Roha is also getting electrified soon)
(3) Port Connectivity projects i.e. Dighi port - Jaigadh (KR) and More planned (New originating/ unloading freight traffic).
(4) Hinterland connectivity projects i.e. Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi, Hubli- Ankola and Chiplun-Karad etc (New originating/ unloading freight traffic).
All of the projects are going to augment the revenue of KR in a big way after commissioning. Many of the above are PPP ventures which are very difficult to materialize. We hope New Chairman will further energize the present momentum already gained by KR and come out with flying colours in the years to come. All the best Gupta Sir.

In Fact challenges an Konkan Railway are like twin brothers. KR has faced and overcome challenges right from its inception and happened against all odds:
(1) Probably the first JV of IRlys with state of great magnitude
(2) Largest Rly project under taken by Indian Railways
(3) Longest hill railway which is difficult to construct especially if it is Broad Guage and designed for...
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160kmph
(4) Longest and Large number Tunnel/ largest number of Big bridges
The challenges does not end here, even after construction they remained glued to KR. Lot of operational problems like boulder falling/ water seepage in tunnels etc. esp. in rainy season occurred which were gradually solved by KR through innovative and indigenous solutions.
As learnt from the media, KR unfortunately did not to get Manglore port under its jurisdiction as per the original plan, which was supposed to be a big source of revenue. Inspite of this disadvantage, the financially crippled KR has already proved its mettle by staying afloat for a good 25 years through excellent use of physical & human resources. It has started earning profits since last few years!
Out of box thinking and working envisaged and implemented by KR is exemplary on many counts
1) Pioneering in introduction and regular operation of Roll On Roll Off trains since more than a decade 2) Getting involved in tough engineering projects like Jammu-Udhampur rail project
3) Many technical innnovations done to prevent boulder falling and other operational challenges to operate trains (including the prestigious Rajdhanis & Durontos) in a very difficult Konkan Terrrain.
Due credits to following great persons
(1) Gentle man who first dreamt of conquering the tricky Western Ghats by Rail
(2) Mr. Madhu Dandwate for humble Beginning Diva-Roha
(3) Mr. George Fernandez Formation of KRC and setting the ball rolling in a big way
(4) The great technocrat Mr Sreedharan for making it happen successfully and maintaing the standards and overcoming all the difficulties.
(5) Mr. Suresh Prabhu for taking up task of rejuvenation & upgradation of KR to higher level
(6) Last but not the least, the committed and daring team of engineers/ workers/ officials involved in the difficult constructions and ones presently involved in operation & maintenance.
Great Salute to the Shramvirs who lost life during the difficult construction. Every passenger travelling through KR must thank these Great Persons who made their journey possible.
With excellent efforts and performance that too against odds, KR should be expecting generous reward i.e. funding for the above projects from Hon. RM. And why not, the young boy (KR) with such achievements definitely deserves it as a reward for the past performance and motivation for even better performance in future.