SEZs, port & airport necessitates doubling of Konkan track

With economic development in the Konkan region of Maharashtra getting high priority from both the government and corporates, the single-track Konkan Railway would have to be converted into a double track, an expert said here.

With two SEZs "" Navi Mumbai SEZ and Mumbai SEZ, Rewas Port "" being developed as the deepest and largest port in the country (by Mukesh Ambani-headed Reliance Industries) besides the Navi Mumbai airport, the road and rail network in Konkan region is expected to be under a lot of strain.

Addressing a Konkan Vision 2020 conference at Dapoli near Ratnagiri recently, Konkan Railway's former Managing Director Ketan Gokhale said: "The single-track Konkan Railway would have to be converted into a double-track, considering the development of the port by Reliance and also because of the proposed ports at Dighi and Jaigad which will need to be linked to the Konkan railway."

The Mumbai SEZ (MSEZ) is investing an estimated Rs 35,000 crore in the development of the SEZ in 45 villages in tehsils of Pen, Uran and Panvel in the Raigad district. Reliance is also developing the Navi Mumbai SEZ in partnership with CIDCO in Panvel-Uran region.

"The SEZ project, while bringing in prosperity to the Konkan region, will also boost the pace of development of Maharashtra and the nation," an MSEZ official said, adding 'private investments of around Rs 350,000 crore were expected in the SEZ'.

Being set up on 10,000 hectares of land, the MSEZ is expected to bring prosperity to the region by generating 20 lakh jobs and contribute Rs 10,000 crore to the state exchequer every year.