The Konkan coastline waited for many years to get its own railway line. It took a Madhu Dandavate (from the Konkan region of Maharashtra) and then George Fernandes (from the coastal area of Karnataka) to convert it into a reality, with the help of E Sreedharan. Flagged off in October 1984, Konkan Railway became a reality only on 26th January 1998. Passing through picturesque locales, mountains, rivers and forests, this railway line connected the entire western coastal belt of South India to Mumbai, crossing the four States of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala.
It took a Modi Government to work on developing the Ratnagiri Sindudurg area and this was done in the Phase I of the Vikas in 6 zillas/districts in this area. As part of the plan to convert Indian Economy to a $5 trillion economy in the near future, a total sum of Rs.5000 crores was requisitioned for the Konkan Railway. Currently Konkan Railway runs about 16,000 passenger trains and 6,000 goods trains in a year. To achieve this and improve on this, Konkan Railway has worked on :
- Doubling their tracks on the entire route
- Adding 8 to 10 stations on the route in Maharashtra Konkan region
- Increasing the capacity of running of trains by 30%
- Complete electrification – this will be completed by next year – for this Rs. 1100 cr have been allocated
- Use of solar panels for consumption of electricity for fans & lights in the trains
- Introduction of luxury and superfast trains viz. Jan Shatabdi, Tejas, Deccan Odyssey, etc.
- Start of a Konkan Railway Institute in this sector.
What is also being done is that the entire Ratnagiri-Sindudurg belt is being developed to increase footfalls to this region and convert it into a tourist hub as well. Under the District Development Plan, very innovative solutions like training rickshaw drivers to double as Guides, encouraging locals to convert their residences to Bed & Breakfast locations, etc. are all being done to help locals improve their income. Along with this, industries like the agriculture industry, horticulture & orchards (mango & cashews), fisheries, hotel industry and waterways are also being developed.
As per the UDAN III policy, air connectivity will also take off in the Konkan region and the entire coastal belt. A unique part about this policy will be that the State Governments of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka will also be equal partners in this venture with the Central Government. With the policy regulation for Sea planes being finalized, we may soon see sea based airports in this region, instead of land based airports.
The Konkan region of Ratnagiri & Sindudurg, which rarely saw the fruits of Vikas before, will be witnessing interesting developments and increase in wealth creation. The increase in district level GDP is expected to be additional 3%. Something that youngsters of this region can look forward to.
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