Fri Dec 19 07:42:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

Konkan Railway Corporation Limited’s (KRCL) 749-km network, vital for connecting South and North India along the west coast, remains largely single-track three decades after its establishment. Passenger associations and activists in Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra are frustrated with the Railway Ministry’s lack of investment in KRCL and apparent reluctance to offer a viable exit strategy to states holding stakes in the company. The Karnataka government has requested better exit options after the ministry demanded they fund a large capital expenditure or relinquish their stakes. Activists are criticizing the ministry’s inaction, alleging that the Konkan region is suffering from poor infrastructure development due to the deadlock between the central and state governments. They point to a lack of development at stations like Udupi and accuse KRCL of prioritizing certain sections of the route over others.

News Article:

Konkan Railway Stalled in Funding Dispute, Leaving West Coast Rail Infrastructure Languishing

MANGALURU, December 19, 2025 – Frustration is mounting along India’s west coast as a funding dispute between the Railway Ministry and state governments stalls much-needed infrastructure improvements to the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). Despite its crucial role in connecting Southern and Northern India, the 749-kilometer KRCL network remains predominantly single-track, even 30 years after its inception.

Passenger associations and railway activists from Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra are voicing their discontent over the Railway Ministry’s apparent apathy towards investing in KRCL and its hesitation to offer a reasonable exit option to states holding stakes in the company.

The Karnataka government recently informed the Legislative Assembly that the Railway Ministry has failed to respond to repeated requests for a better exit strategy, after the Ministry demanded they either fund a substantial ₹9,158 crore capital expenditure for KRCL or relinquish their shares.

“The silence from the Railway Ministry appears intentional,” alleged Ganesh Puthran, President of the Kundapura Railway Prayanikara Samithi. “The west coast continues to suffer as a result.”

Activists highlight the stark contrast between the Konkan Railway and other crucial routes across India, which have largely been doubled by Indian Railways. They point to the lack of development at stations like Udupi as evidence of neglect.

“Why should state governments fund KRCL’s capital expenditure?” questioned Ashiwn Kenkare, a railway activist from Maharashtra. “Does the Union Government provide any return on states’ investments or grant them exclusive rights over train timings and stoppages?”

Rajeev Gaonkar, Secretary of the Uttara Kannada Railway Association, went further, accusing KRCL of prioritizing the Roha-Madgaon stretch while neglecting the Karwar-Thokur section within Karnataka.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has previously stated that KRCL would be merged with Indian Railways if states were to exit. However, the Ministry remains silent when states seek those exit options.

The ongoing impasse threatens to further delay crucial upgrades to the Konkan Railway, leaving the west coast region with substandard railway infrastructure for the foreseeable future. The future of the line hangs in the balance.

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