MUMBAI, January 15: The prestigious Konkan Railway project, launched in 1989 to connect the western coast with rest of the country, has been completed with the opening up of the 20 km Pernem-Sawantwadi section on Wednesday, Konkan Railway Corporation announced on Thursday.The Pernem-Sawantwadi section was delayed as the railway could not construct strong tunnel at Pernem on the soft-sub soil. According to a press statement the Commissioner of Railway Safety (South Central circle) G P Garg has given the go-ahead to operate trains on the line after a detailed inspection and a speed trial at 100 kmph recently.Trains can now be operated at a maximum speed of 80 kmph and will be increased to 100 kmph soon.
Following the completion of the tunnel work, the railway intends extending the Sawantadi Express up to Madgaon in South Goa from January 26, 1998. The train leaving Mumbai CST for Sawantwadi will go up to Madgaon and will start on its return journey the same evening.The railways also plans to introduce
through trains from destinations like New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad to Madgaon, Mangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum stations within a month or two.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
