KRC puts projects worth Rs 75 cr on track for Goa

KRC puts projects worth Rs 75 cr on track for Goa
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 12
The Konkan Railway Corporation has mulled a slew of projects in Goa worth over Rs 75 crore, including 6-7 flyovers at level crossings, a new railway station at Loliem-Canacona, rail bypass between Margao and Balli, upgradation of the Seraulim railway station and a double line between Margao and Vasco.
KRC Managing Director B P Tayal told newsmen that the Corporation will soon move a proposal to the Goa Government for construction of the road over bridges on 50 per cent cost sharing basis. “There are around 17 railway level crossings on the KR line in Goa, of which, 6-7 level crossings are critical and have large volume of traffic. There’s a criteria that flyovers can be built at level crossings only when the vehicular traffic is around one lakh vehicles. But, in the case of Goa, we will dispense with this criteria and build the flyovers on 50 per cent cost sharing basis if the State Government agrees to the proposal”, Tayal said.
He said the new railway station at Loliem estimated to cost Rs eight crore will add to the passenger train capacity in Goa. He said plans are afoot to upgrade the Thivim and Karmali stations, by adding one-two additional lines. “This will take some time and will be implemented as and when the funds come in”, he added.
The KRC Managing Director has said that a Rs 8 crore rail bypass has been planned somewhere between the Sao Jose de Areal and Sarzora junction to meet the demands of the South Central Railway trains. “If the bypass takes shape, trains moving further south down need not come to the Margao railway station”, he said.
Saying that the KR has added two additional lines at the Margao railway station at a cost of Rs 6 crore, Tayal said the Corporation has planned additional platforms at the railway station.
Saying that the double line between Margao and Vasco would cost the KR around Rs 50 crore, Tayal, however, is treading a cautious approach, saying the project can materialize only if the State Government acquires the required land. “The KRC has planned a full-fledged station at Seraulim to increase capacity of trains. For this, we require additional land”, he said, adding that though the KRC has already acquired land between Margao and Majorda for laying of the line, additional land would be required between Majorda and the Verna yard to lay the double line. “You don’t get land easily in Goa with objections raised to land acquisitions by the Government. We have not yet moved any formal proposal to the Government in this respect, but will certain do soon”, he added.
Replying to a question, he said the KRC would set up a facility at Margao for periodic over haul of the coaches as against the present practice of sending the trains to Hubli for the purpose.