The Konkan by Day: Mumbai (Chembur) - Panvel - Madgaon - Mangalore - Kanhangad
Solo trip by Rajan Mathew on 20th September 2002 - A comprehensive observation report

My journey to Goa in August 2002 was really one of the most enjoyable and I was really looking for another opportunity to make a trip down south on the high speed Janshatabdi Express. The urgency to travel to Kanhangad, Kerala arose, and I purchased tickets on 19th evening for the 2051 dn Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) - Madgaon (MAO) Janshatabdi Express for 20th Sept. 2002, and connecting ticket on KR1 dn Madgaon (MAO) - Mangalore (MAQ) Passenger. Armed with information from the SR Website & latest Trains at a Glance (TAAG) I was hoping to connect at Mangalore to the 2100 hrs Charvattur Passenger, the 2115 hrs West Coast Express or the 2200 hrs Mangalore (MAQ) - Trivandrum (TVC) Maveli Express (Runs weekly - Only on Fridays) to reach Kanhangad (KZE) the same day. 

I left home at 0500 hrs and went to Chembur station to take CST Panvel Local PL- . This departed as scheduled at 0529 from CMBR. The train passed Seawoods (station under development) where the KR Staff Quarters is located. Just after Belapur CBD, in Blue Neon lights one can see the Konkan Railway Headquarters at Belapur CBD - the heart of all operations and management of the KRC. Arrived into PNVL at 0613.

At 0635 the 2051 LTT - Madgaon Janshatabdi Express pulled in on platform 3. hauled by WDP4 20003 Short Hood. The train departed at 0642. As we pulled out of Panvel the line is totally non electrified. The one electrified section on the right turns separately for Uran & JNPT. To the left additional embankment of the Panvel Karjat link is already ready, which turns eastwards. RUB over NH4 near Somatne at KM 72. 

At Somatne KM 73/5, crossing with the ROHA-DW Pass. The train went dead slow at APTA KM 82. On the right loop line some old KR rolling stock headed by a KYN WDS6. At KM 91/2, recently made ROB with NH17. Crossing with a goods train at Jite KM 93/5. KM 94/6-95/4 offers a spectacular 90 degree turn to the right, with a vast open plain. Following the curve, at is a Bridge. Onward the train passed Pen KM 106. From here a parallel line (which runs upto Thal) runs for at least 3 km, till the main line bends to the left closer to Vadkal Naka (on the NH17). Breakfast is served now at our seats (0720-0800). Pass Kasu & Nagothane stations.The scenery is wide open green grassy plains. Then through the Bhise Tunnel at KM 134. Pass throgh Roha KM 144 - Platform 2 at 0804.

Our train began a steady high speed cruise as we moved at Roha from CR to Konkan Railway territory, handover on schedule.  Enter KR Territory by passing the new prominent board on the right 800m south of Roha. the first Imp bridge is over the Kundalika river. Kolad is the first KR station soon thereafter. The general terrain are lush green plains with few hills - scenic indeed. After Veer, tall hills fare to the west as the train passes through a flat green valley. Dasgaon tunnel, the first on the KR followed by a very scenic Savitri River. The terrain begins to get a bit rugged now. The line now runs at an elevation over a scenic bridge and then enters the Bijghar tunnel.   

TO BE COMPLETED