Konkan Railway:Part II

The unique and innovative RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off) service of Konkan Railway, whereby loaded goods trucks are carried piggy back on railway flat wagons. This service is unique only to Konkan railway and it is now earning the Corporation over Rs50 crore per annum. The popularity of the service can be seen from the fact that over 3.5 lakh goods trucks have been carried by this service so far in 15 years since it started. The service benefits the truck owners as well as the railways, while saving precious diesel for the country. It saves wear and tear of tyres, reduces maintenance cost of trucks, enables faster turn-round of trucks, faster delivery of goods, gives higher profits, less pollution, and better road safety. There are two services of Ro-Ro - one between Kolad (145 km from Mumbai) and Verna (a distance of 417 km), and second between Kolad and Surathkal (a distance of 721 km). Delivery is within 12 hrs for Kolad-Verna, within 22 hrs for Kolad-Surathkal, which by road would take atleast about 24 hrs and 40 hrs respectively. The RO-RO service is eco-friendly and cheaper than the road transport.