Will take public into confidence on double-tracking of Konkan

Entire route of Konkan Railway will be double-tracked only after taking public and various organisations concerned into confidence, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said here today.
"We have taken up the work of double-tracking the Konkan railway route. It will be done after consulting all the people and social organisations," Prabhu told a gathering after launching various projects on the railway route.
Konkan railway line runs along the Konkan coast between Mumbai and Mangaluru.
Prabhu said his Ministry has been taking all possible measures to provide the comfort and security to passengers despite several odds.
"Providing good customer service is our priority. We must ensure that we offer good customer service to travellers. Despite several adverse facts they (Railway) are trying to do it," Prabhu added.

Among various measures, the attention has been given to providing quality customer service, food, linen during journey and to interiors of trains from safety perspective.

"The new locomotives that are being constructed would be equipped with better safety features," he said.
Referring to Varanasi-Lucknow-Delhi train, flagged-off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently, Prabhu said, "the train has far-advanced features which will also be emulated in the coaches to be constructed in future. I am sure people will work as a partner for development of railways".
He launched a travelator--a moving sidewalk--at Ratnagiri railway station in neighbouring Maharashtra from Vasco near here through a remote control during a function organised by the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL).

"Ratnagiri is very important station for Konkan Railway. We have brought the facilities like travelator to the smaller cities. Earlier, these facilities were available only in metro stations," he said.
The minister unveiled a plaque for new platform at Margao railway station which will be developed at the cost of Rs 135 lakh.
"Margao railway station of Konkan Railway is the most important station in Goa having footfall of more than 10,000 passengers every day," a senior KRCL official told PTI on the sidelines of the function.
Prabhu also inaugurated a model room cum exhibition centre at Margao.