MANGALURU (Metro Rail News): Shivamogga MP, B.Y. Raghavendra, has requested Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav to take charge of infrastructure upgradation work of prominent railway stations under the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) network. He explained that KRCL is facing financial difficulties and is unable to upgrade the stations on the West coast, which is affecting tourism potential.
Mr. Raghavendra noted that while the demand for merging KRCL with the Indian Railways was justified, until that happens, the Railways should provide budgetary support to KRCL for development works. He pointed out that none of the KRCL stations were included in the Union Budget’s Amrit Bharat Station scheme, which disappointed people in coastal Karnataka.
The MP stated that KRCL was heavily debt-funded for constructing the Mangaluru-Mumbai line and was unable to provide additional amenities to passengers due to a lack of funds. Thousands of devotees visit Kollur through the Byndoor station, and its development under the Amrit Bharat Scheme was much needed. Mr. Raghavendra stressed that without budgetary support, the stations would remain without many passenger amenities, which would negatively impact tourism potential.