MP Poojary Asks Maharashtra to Cede Konkan Railway Stake for Indian Railways Merger

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to relinquish the state's share in Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. in favour of Indian Railways, to facilitate the corporation's merger with Indian Railways. The Hindu reported that Poojary made the request at a meeting at the State secretariat in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Poojary's Case for the Konkan Railway Merger

Poojary told Fadnavis that the 750-odd km Konkan Railway network from Roha in Maharashtra to Thokur in Karnataka urgently needs line doubling, because the single track cannot handle increased demand for passenger and freight trains. He said at least ₹40,000 crore was estimated to be required for line doubling and improving railway infrastructure on the KRCL network, and that KRCL was not in a position to fund such a mega project.

Poojary noted that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced in the Lok Sabha that if stake-holding states relinquish their shares in favour of Indian Railways, the Ministry could merge the corporation. He said Kerala and Goa have already conveyed their willingness to relinquish their shares, and that Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said the Karnataka government would extend its cooperation for railway development in the State.

Poojary said in a statement that Fadnavis responded positively, calling it an important matter with regard to railway connectivity in the Konkan region. "A consensus decision would soon be taken to protect the interests of the travelling public," Poojary said. He described KRCL as a central PSU formed under the leadership of the late George Fernandes to provide a rail link on the West coast.

Konkan Railway's Financial and Project Record

According to akta.pro company records, Konkan Railway operates a 741 km route connecting Mumbai to Mangalore through Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The same records list a full-year net profit of ₹199.63 crore for FY26, representing 44.99% growth, and a standalone net profit of ₹131.50 crore for Q4 FY26, a 176.38% increase from ₹47.58 crore in the same quarter of the previous year.

Earlier Moves Toward an Indian Railways Merger

In July 2026, Poojary said railway projects on the Konkan coast would receive more funds from the Union government only if KRCL merged with Indian Railways, with the merger process already underway, The Hindu reported. On October 12, 2026, Minister Somanna announced a Rs 9k crore sanction for Konkan Railway projects and said the intention was to implement railway projects with a long-term vision spanning the next 25 to 30 years, Deccan Herald reported. On October 16, 2026, Konkan Railway marked its 37th foundation day at Navi Mumbai, The Hindu reported.