Konkan Railway to explore ferrying cars and SUVs on board train wagons for those who wish to avoid highway traffic; to experiment during the Ganpati festival this year
A Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Konkan Railway train
Soon, you could take your car by train on the Konkan Railway, which is planning to explore ferrying private vehicles, such as cars and SUVs, onboard train wagons, similar to how it currently transports trucks. The move is being considered on an experimental basis during the Ganpati festival this year, providing an alternative to road travel along the often-congested Konkan highway route.
It’s a fabulous idea and we will definitely explore it. We’ve been carrying trucks for a long time now. Their drivers purchase tickets and travel inside their vehicles. We can consider allowing private passenger vehicles, too,” said Santosh Kumar Jha, chairman and managing director of Konkan Railway.
Konkan Railway CMD Santosh Kumar Jha addresses a press conference, seated with Chief PRO Girish R Karandikar
He added, “We’ll need to rework a few technical aspects, as the current wagons are specifically designed for trucks. We aim to try it out this Ganpati season.” Konkan Railway officials are yet to work out whether private vehicle owners will have to travel inside their vehicles in the Ro-Ro scheme.
What is Ro-Ro?
Konkan Railway’s successful ‘Roll-on Roll-off’ (Ro-Ro) service allows trucks to be loaded directly onto train wagons using ramps. Drivers and cleaners travel with valid tickets, often sleeping inside the truck cabin during the journey.
A Konkan Railway Ro-Ro train transports trucks across the route — a service now being considered for cars and SUVs during the Ganapati season. Pics/KR PR Depratment
Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off)
>> The service currently operates only between Kolad and Mangalore.
>> Vehicles will need to be brought to Kolad for loading.
>> The driver and cleaner of each truck travel with valid tickets and usually sleep inside the truck cabin during the journey.
>> For cars or SUVs, a similar process would need to be followed, but wagon mechanisms must be modified to suit their dimensions.
>> The wagons have been modified to allow trucks to pass through them.
In this arrangement, trucks are loaded via a ramp provided at the dead end of a loop onto specially designed wagons
3.425 metres
Before loading, trucks are weighed and checked under a height gauge (maximum height: above road level) to ensure they conform to safe clearance dimensions.
40
Train does not operate unless a minimum of 40 trucks are available
Monsoon timetable slashed by 10 days
>> For the first time, the Konkan Railway has reduced its monsoon timetable by 10 days, citing improved preparedness. The 2025 monsoon schedule will run from June 15 to October 20.
>> “We’re better prepared this year,” Jha said. “Catchwater drains have been cleaned and slope inspections carried out thoroughly. Geo-safety projects have drastically reduced boulder falls and soil slips.”
Key monsoon measures:
>> 636 trained personnel deployed for 24/7 patrolling at vulnerable spots
>> Speed limit of 40 km/h during low visibility
>> LED signals for better visibility in rain/fog
Self-recording rain gauges are active at 9 stations:
Mangaon, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Vilwade, Kankavali, Madgaon, Karwar, Bhatkal, and Udupi, Flood warning systems at bridges over Kali, Savitri, and Vashishti rivers
Tunnel and station upgrades await funds
Santosh Kumar Jha also revealed that the Pernem and Old Goa tunnels will be realigned and rebuilt on an alternate route. A detailed plan has been sent to the Railway Board. He said that Madgaon and Udupi stations have been selected for redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, but funding is yet to be approved by the board.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
