Konkan Railway plans second line in plains.

In what should be good news for lakhs of travellers on the Konkan Railway, an initial study has concluded that it would be feasible to lay a second line on sections of the route that run on the plains.

'We are planning to go for patch doubling (railway lingo for laying new tracks on sections where it is possible) and the initial estimate for the work is being worked out,' said Vaishali Patange, chief spokesperson of the Konkan Railway.

The 741km single-line Konkan Railway route was opened in 1998 and has become one of the busiest in the country within a decade and a half, compelling the authorities to consider augmenting the track capacity. But the geographical aspect and the huge cost this would entail have restricted any progress so far.

According to a study conducted over the past few months, doubling the track is possible on about 300 km that runs on the plains. For example, the 47km from the starting point at Roha to Veer. The 60km stretch between Udupi and Mangalore is another stretch. There are several other patches in between, officials said.

DNA