Soon, travelling from Mumbai to Goa with your car on a train might be possible; find it how
Imagine packing your bags, driving your car onto a train, and relaxing in comfort while your vehicle hitches a ride alongside you all the way from Mumbai to Goa. This could soon be a reality as Konkan Railway plans to roll out a unique travel experience allowing passenger vehicles like cars and SUVs to be transported on trains.
The experiment is likely to begin as early as this Ganapati festival season.
Konkan Railway has already been a huge success with its 'Roll-on Roll-off' (Ro-Ro) facility that carries trucks over specially constructed wagons. Not only does this system reduce fuel consumption and travel time, but it also helps disperse traffic on the congested Konkan roads. Encouraged by the efficiency and popularity of this facility, the railway authority now wishes to experiment with its applicability to private passenger vehicles.
Santosh Kumar Jha, Managing Director and Chairman of Konkan Railway added that they they have been transporting trucks for years, and might consider allowing private passenger vehicles too.
What is the Ro-Ro model?
Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) is a model where trucks are loaded onto specially adapted train wagons through a ramp system. These carriages are made in such a way that trucks are able to roll in and be parked safely. The maximum height of loaded vehicles is 3.425 m above road level.
Truck drivers and their attendants accompany the vehicles and sleep within the cabin as they travel. The Ro-Ro service presently runs from Kolad in Maharashtra to Mangalore in Karnataka.
To maintain cost-effectiveness, the train service only runs when there are at least 40 trucks available. The same will be the case with the passenger vehicle variant.
Benefits for travelers
The plan has thrilled both tourists and everyday commuters. Traveling by car from Mumbai to Goa normally takes 10 to 12 hours and involves sharp turns, ghats, and heavy lorries on the road.
With the Ro-Ro passenger vehicle model, travelers can save time and energy, lower carbon footprints, and enjoy a leisurely ride while their cars are transported safely alongside.
The concept is particularly favorable during
monsoon
, when landslides and waterlogging render highway travel unreliable. With the rail-based option, tourists can steer clear of pothole-filled roads and use their travel time for reading, relaxation, or witnessing scenic railway vistas.
Konkan Railway is also making its infrastructure monsoon-proof. In a notable step, it has cut down the monsoon timetable duration by 10 days, which reflects enhanced preparedness. The monsoon schedule this year will be from June 15 to October 20.
Further, Jha elaborated about new safety measures for the monsoon season, such as deployment of 636 trained personnel for round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable zones, reduced train speeds during poor visibility, installation of LED signals, and automated rain gauges at nine key stations to monitor rainfall intensity.
If the pilot run succeeds, it can open the door for increased Ro-Ro services all over India, particularly other busy tourist routes. So this Ganapati season, rather than taking to the road, you might be able to take the train with your favorite car as a companion.
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Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Soon, travelling from Mumbai to Goa with your car on a train might be possible; find it how
Imagine packing your bags, driving your car onto a train, and relaxing in comfort while your vehicle hitches a ride alongside you all the way from Mumbai to Goa. This could soon be a reality as Konkan Railway plans to roll out a unique travel experience allowing passenger vehicles like cars and SUVs to be transported on trains. The experiment is likely to begin as early as this Ganapati festival season. Konkan Railway has already been a huge success with its 'Roll-on Roll-off' (Ro-Ro) facility that carries trucks over specially constructed wagons. Not only does this system reduce fuel consumption and travel time, but it also helps disperse traffic on the congested Konkan roads. Encouraged by the efficiency and popularity of this facility, the railway authority now wishes to experiment with its applicability to private passenger vehicles. Santosh Kumar Jha, Managing Director and Chairman of Konkan Railway added that they they have been transporting trucks for years, and might consider allowing private passenger vehicles too. What is the Ro-Ro model? Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) is a model where trucks are loaded onto specially adapted train wagons through a ramp system. These carriages are made in such a way that trucks are able to roll in and be parked safely. The maximum height of loaded vehicles is 3.425 m above road level. Truck drivers and their attendants accompany the vehicles and sleep within the cabin as they travel. The Ro-Ro service presently runs from Kolad in Maharashtra to Mangalore in Karnataka. To maintain cost-effectiveness, the train service only runs when there are at least 40 trucks available. The same will be the case with the passenger vehicle variant. Benefits for travelers The plan has thrilled both tourists and everyday commuters. Traveling by car from Mumbai to Goa normally takes 10 to 12 hours and involves sharp turns, ghats, and heavy lorries on the road. With the Ro-Ro passenger vehicle model, travelers can save time and energy, lower carbon footprints, and enjoy a leisurely ride while their cars are transported safely alongside. The concept is particularly favorable during monsoon , when landslides and waterlogging render highway travel unreliable. With the rail-based option, tourists can steer clear of pothole-filled roads and use their travel time for reading, relaxation, or witnessing scenic railway vistas. Konkan Railway is also making its infrastructure monsoon-proof. In a notable step, it has cut down the monsoon timetable duration by 10 days, which reflects enhanced preparedness. The monsoon schedule this year will be from June 15 to October 20. Further, Jha elaborated about new safety measures for the monsoon season, such as deployment of 636 trained personnel for round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable zones, reduced train speeds during poor visibility, installation of LED signals, and automated rain gauges at nine key stations to monitor rainfall intensity. If the pilot run succeeds, it can open the door for increased Ro-Ro services all over India, particularly other busy tourist routes. So this Ganapati season, rather than taking to the road, you might be able to take the train with your favorite car as a companion. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
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Business Standard
04-06-2025
- Business Standard
Konkan Railway may run Ro-Ro train service to transport cars, says official
The Konkan Railway will explore the possibility of running a special roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) train service for transporting cars during the upcoming Ganapti festival, if there is sufficient public demand, a top official said. It will be possible to operate such a service if there are at least 40 cars to be transported at a time, Konkan Railway Corporation Limited's Chairman and Managing Director Santosh Kumar Jha told reporters at the KRCL headquarters at Belapur in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday. Asked why the KR does not transport passenger cars by its pioneering Ro-Ro services during the Ganpati festival, Jha said they will have to make changes for ferrying cars on wagons. The Konkan Railway's Ro-Ro service, which allows vehicles to be transported along with their drivers, has traditionally been used for trucks. "I promise you that this time in Ganpati I will announce a special train (Ro-Ro)," Jha said. The official said he did not know people would want to transport their expensive cars 750 km away. It takes 24 to 26 hours to reach Mangaluru (in Karnataka) by Ro-Ro from here and for that one has to buy a second class ticket from the driver. Highlighting that KR is not a loss-making corporation, Jha said it generated a net profit of Rs 301 crore in 2023-24. As per unpublished reports, the corporation is expected to register a profit of Rs 140-150 crore in the last financial year. "The Konkan Railway was always in profit, barring two years of COVID-19," Jha said, adding the KR is generating profits from the operations and execution of projects. The corporation got projects valued at Rs 3,150 crore through tendering processes in the last 15 months and is already executing works of Rs 4,087 crore, the official said. "About Rs 7,200 crore of work orders are already in my hand and this year, we have targeted to get Rs 15,000 crore of orders. I have full faith that we will achieve this target," Jha said. The KR has planned to spend Rs 125 crore for various passengers amenities, including platform extension, construction of FOBs (foot overbridges) and providing retiring rooms, at railway stations in the next three years, he said. The Public Works Department of Maharashtra has spent Rs 99 crore for the development of 11 stations on the KR network. Now, the MIDC is spending Rs 39 crore on Ratnagiri station alone for providing facilities, he said. "You will see a full facelift of the Ratnagiri station before this year-end," the official said. Also, the KR has sent a proposal to the Railway Board for the restoration of eight halts which were discontinued during the COVID-19 time, he said. The official further said the entire Konkan Railway route is currently single line, except for a 47-km-long section, and they have proposed patch doubling works, estimated to cost Rs 5,100 crores, but these works need ministerial help. At present, the Konkan Railway has about Rs 2,750 crore loan to repay and the corporation has planned to clear Rs 600 crore dues of it during this financial year, he said. Jha also said they have proposed alternatives for Pernem and Old Goa tunnel construction and the work has received an in-principle approval, but function allocation is awaited. The tunnels are not unstable, he added.
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Indian Express
Konkan Railway launches full-fledged monsoon action plan for smooth travel of passengers
The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) has increased its monsoon preparedness to provide secure and uninterrupted travel for passengers, preparing for heavy rains along the Konkan coast. The 740-km Konkan railway track is known for its picturesque but difficult terrain, making it vulnerable to landslides, soil erosion, and waterlogging during monsoon. To confront all such challenges head-on, KRCL has initiated a full-fledged monsoon action plan with the safety of infrastructure, real-time surveillance, and emergency preparedness as the focus. 'The largest relief to passengers is that services will be run without any disruption even in the midst of heavy rainfall — thanks to advanced planning, enhanced safety systems, and increased patrolling,' said Santosh Kumar Jha, chairman and managing director of Konkan Railway on Tuesday. This year, the monsoon schedule will remain in force from June 15 to October 20 with modified sectional speeds to factor in weather-related hazards. To increase security, 636 trained staff are deputed for continuous patrolling at the infamous and weak points. Rail Maintenance Vehicles (RMVs), accident relief trains, and medical teams have been placed at strategic points covering major stations such as Ratnagiri, Verna, Madgaon, and Udupi. According to officials, rescue equipment and staff can be mobilised in the event of any disruption within minutes. Konkan Railway Gears Up for Monsoon-2025. — Konkan Railway (@KonkanRailway) June 3, 2025 'One of the most important initiatives implemented this year was the successful installation of flood warning systems at large rivers and viaducts. These alert the railway personnel when water levels reach hazardous points, enabling timely stoppages and avoiding accidents,' Jha added. Anemometers have also been installed on bridges to measure wind speeds, which can be dangerous for train movement. Passengers are also guaranteed by the KRCL of uninterrupted communication assistance. Control rooms and walkie-talkies are all connected with high-powered VHF radio sets, mobile phones, and satellite phones. Emergency Communication (EMC) outlets are placed each kilometre for field personnel to report emergencies immediately. To prevent landslides and boulder falls, major drainage and slope stabilisation works have already been completed. According to officials, these measures have significantly reduced track disruptions during monsoon over the last decade. 'For real-time updates, passengers are advised to visit the KRCL website or call the 139 helpline. With 24×7 control rooms and daily coordination with the India Meteorological Department, KRCL remains committed to passenger safety and convenience. With these preparations on hand, Konkan Railway is ready to provide a safe and picturesque ride even during the dangerous rain,' said a KRCL spokesperson.
