There were some problems running passenger trains, but we are ready and will soon be able to run electric passenger trains. The balance portion will be completed by year-end. We will be able to run end-to-end electric trains by December 2021,” Sharma told mid-day in an online video interview.

Also Read: Konkan Railway gets ready for new power corridor

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This will be one of the longest stretches of an independent railway network in the country to go electric, and will ensure seamless travel for electric locomotives. The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) manages the railway line between Roha in Maharashtra and Thokur in Karnataka. Sources said that the challenges of electrifying the Konkan Railway network, at a cost of R1,100 crore, were particularly difficult due to its extremely difficult terrain with special arrangements at many locations to keep it going in monsoon. It has about 91 tunnels and 1,880 bridges with the longest tunnel of 6.5 km at Karbude near Ratnagiri, and tallest 64-metre bridge over Panval river at Ratnagiri.

Electrification of railway lines will reduce the cost of energy as well as local pollution, and do away with diesel locomotives. It will save cost of fuel and make operations easier, leading to savings of R150 crore per year. Sharma said in 2020-21 (till March 31) railway electrification works were commissioned on 6,015 route km compared to 4,378 route km during 2019-20 the highest ever commissioning during a year.

Land acquisition issues in state delay bullet train project

Speaking on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, Sharma told mediapersons that there were land acquisition issues in Maharashtra in procuring stretches of required land in Palghar and parts of Thane district, but they were in talks with the Maharashtra government and confident of an amicable solution. India’s first bullet train, being built with the partnership of India and Japan by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), will traverse the 508-km distance between Ahmedabad and Mumbai in 2 hours and 57 minutes covering 12 stations, including the originating and final station. 

Rs 1,100 cr
Cost of the electrification of Konkan Railway