MP urges Railway Minister to release coastal railway network

Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta has urged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take control of the coastal railway network in Karnataka away from two corporations. He believes that the Konkan Railway Corporation and the Hassan-Mangaluru Rail Development Corporation are not meeting the growing needs of the region. During a discussion in the Lok Sabha on March 17, Chowta expressed concern over the debt issues faced by the Konkan Railway Corporation. He reported that the corporation has a debt of ₹2,589 crore, which hinders its ability to improve infrastructure. Capt. Chowta suggested merging the Konkan Railway Corporation with Indian Railways to increase efficiency. He emphasized that this merger would boost the economic growth of coastal Karnataka. Chowta also pointed to the difficulties caused by the Hassan-Mangaluru Rail Development Corporation. He stated that it obstructs smooth rail connectivity between the coast and other parts of Karnataka. The MP noted that, despite the New Mangalore Port's 50th anniversary, trade and commerce are not progressing as expected due to insufficient rail infrastructure. He called for the Mangaluru railway region to be administered by a single entity. Currently, this area is divided among three zones: the Konkan Railway Corporation, Southern Railway, and South Western Railway. Chowta believes that consolidating the administration is essential for improving the railway network along the coast.