Konkan Railway to Become More Efficient: Route Doubling Plan in Motion

Travel on the Konkan Railway is set to become faster and more convenient as the railway administration moves ahead with a long-awaited plan to double the track across key sections of the route. This major development aims to ease congestion, reduce delays, and significantly improve travel experiences for passengers.

Currently, the Konkan Railway operates on a single-track route, which often results in scheduling disruptions and delays for both passenger and freight trains. With traffic on the rise and infrastructure stretched thin, the need for additional track capacity has become urgent.

Phased Route Doubling in Progress

To address this issue, Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) has decided to undertake route doubling in a phased manner. Officials believe that this move will allow more trains to operate on the line, minimize waiting times, and accommodate growing demand—particularly during peak travel seasons.

The Roha to Thokur stretch, which spans 739 km, forms the backbone of the Konkan route. The doubling of the Roha–Veer section (46.8 km) was successfully completed in August 2021. However, progress on the remaining sections has been slower than expected since then.

Heavy Load on the Konkan Route

In the financial year 2024–25, a total of 20,056 passenger trains and 6,170 freight trains operated on the Konkan Railway route. On a daily basis, this translates to an average of 55 passenger trains and 17 freight trains. The route is heavily trafficked not only by local trains but also by long-distance trains connecting several Indian states.

With the completion of route doubling, this capacity is expected to nearly double, significantly improving the punctuality and volume of both freight and passenger services.

Focus Areas for Doubling

As part of the next phase, the doubling of tracks is being planned for the following critical sections:

• Khed–Ratnagiri

• Kankavali–Sawantwadi

• Madgaon–Thokur

A detailed project report (DPR) for these sections is currently being prepared and will soon be submitted to the Railway Board. Work on these segments is expected to begin once official approval and budget allocations are secured.

A Step Towards Safer and Smoother Travel

With passenger numbers steadily increasing over the past two decades and train services not expanding proportionally, the result has been overcrowding and travel discomfort. The proposed doubling project is seen as a crucial step in enhancing efficiency, safety, and reliability across the scenic yet strained Konkan Railway line.

Passengers and local communities have welcomed the move, anticipating that it will transform the travel experience on one of India's most picturesque yet congested railway corridors.