Chiplun-Karad line to boost economy

The new Chiplun-Karad railway line announced in a joint venture by Konkan Railway (KR) and the state is being regarded as a big push for increased economic activity between Western parts of Maharashtra and the Konkan region.

KR officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shapoorji Pallonji Corporation Pvt. Ltd. (SPCPL) as a private partner with shared equity with the state. The 100 km line will be built on a public-private-partnership and was signed on Sunday. A senior Konkan Railway officer said on condition of anonymity, “This new project, envisaging construction of a 103-km-long line from Chiplun to Karad, will enable port connectivity to the hinterland of Maharashtra and further pave the way for development on this entire stretch of the state.”

The official further said, “The project will be instrumental in the overall development of Western Maharashtra and Konkan region by facilitating easy and economical movement of raw materials and finished products in addition to providing convenient transport facilities to the people of these two regions.” The project is expected to generate direct employment opportunities for around 5,000 people per year during the construction period and many more jobs in an indirect manner.

SPCL will be sharing 74 per cent equity while the KR will share the remaining 26 per cent. “The port cargo movement is expected to increase three-fold by 2020. Railway projects like this will facilitate the realisation of Maritime Agenda 2020 targets. This hinterland connectivity will also push the Sagarmala project (a port-led infrastructure development programme) initiated by the Prime Minister,” said the official.

In a bid to increase connectivity on the Konkan coast at Rewas, Dighi, Jaigarh, Angre, Vijaydurg and Redi, the state has already initiated BOOST (build, own, operate, share and transfer) programme. This new line will help in the overall connectivity of the ports connecting the Konkan region to the rest of the state.