Question

Identify correct statements with respect to Konkan Railway.
A. It was constructed in 1989.
B. It is a 760-km long rail route.
C. It connects Roha to Mangalore.
D. Asia's largest tunnel, which is nearly 6.5 km long, also lies on this route.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B and D only
• B. A, B and C only
• C. A, C and D only
• D. B, C and D only

Hint:

Konkan Railway Key Facts:
Commissioned: 1998.
Route Length: $760\text{ km}$.
Termini: Roha (Maharashtra) to Mangaluru (Karnataka).
States covered: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka.
Features: $6.5\text{ km}$ long Karbude tunnel.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:
The Konkan Railway represents an extraordinary engineering milestone achieved by the Indian Railways, overcoming formidable topographical challenges across the rugged Western Ghats (Sahyadris).
It traverses difficult mountainous terrain featuring hundreds of rivers, rivulets, deep gorges, and steep mountains to provide an efficient transport corridor along the western coast.

Step 1: Analyzing the Statements on Konkan Railway:
Statement A: The construction of the Konkan Railway route was completed and officially commissioned in the year 1998 (NOT 1989). The Konkan Railway Corporation was incorporated in 1990, and the entire stretch became operational on January 26, 1998. Thus, statement A is factually incorrect.
Statement B: The total operational route length of this railway line is precisely $760\text{ km}$. Hence, statement B is correct.
Statement C: The track connects Roha in Maharashtra to Thokur near Mangaluru (Mangalore) in Karnataka, traversing Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. Hence, statement C is correct.
Statement D: The line boasts over 2,000 bridges and 91 tunnels, including the Karbude tunnel near Ratnagiri which is nearly $6.5\text{ km}$ long (one of Asia's longest tunnels at the time of construction). Thus, statement D is correct.

Step 2: Conclusion:
Statements B, C, and D are correct, while statement A is incorrect.
Final Answer:
Consequently, the correct choice is B, C and D only.