India's 1st Ro-Ro To Goa Let's You Travel On Train With Your Car! But It May Get Cancelled
India's first Ro-Ro train for cars, running from Maharashtra to Goa, has seen very low bookings ahead of its August 23 launch.
India's first Ro-Ro (Roll-On Roll-Off) train for private cars is set to run between Kolad in Maharashtra and Verna in Goa. Nevertheless, since bookings opened a week ago, public interest has been very low.
According to the Konkan Railway (KR), only one person has confirmed a booking so far, out of 38 total inquiries. The train service is scheduled to start on August 23 from Kolad, but if it doesn't receive at least 16 car bookings by August 13, it will be cancelled and the registration fee will be refunded.
Why the Response Has Been So Low
As per the Hindustan Times, the service was launched ahead of the busy Ganeshotsav season. During this time, the Konkan route is already crowded with regular and special trains, some running over capacity.
Many passengers inquired whether the Ro-Ro train would stop at key stations like Ratnagiri or Sawantwadi. However, Konkan Railway clarified that it won't halt at these stations due to the lack of car loading and unloading facilities.
The Ro-Ro train can carry up to 40 cars per trip. But even with its novelty, people don't seem very interested, mainly due to high prices, limited flexibility and no major time savings.
– Timings: The train ride takes around 12 hours. But passengers must check in at least 3 hours earlier to allow time for loading their vehicles.
– Pricing:
Rs 7,875 per vehicle
Rs 935 per passenger in the AC coach
Rs 190 per passenger in second-class seating
A maximum of 3 passengers can travel with each car
The train will run on alternate days in both directions until September 11. The return service from Verna is scheduled to begin on August 24.
Concerns From Rail Associations and Experts
Hindustan Times states that passenger associations and travel groups have raised concerns about the service's timing and cost. They feel it might take away space and manpower needed to run Ganpati special trains during this festival season.
'Also, the high cost of Rs 7,875 per vehicle plus individual passenger fares is not affordable for most families," said Akshay Mahapadi, secretary of the Akhand Konkan Railway Pravasi Seva Samiti, as quoted by Hindustan Times. 'The concept is innovative, but its timing is highly unsuitable. They should have announced this around December for the New Year's celebration," he added.
Meanwhile, rail authorities say running this service would need a full train crew, including a loco pilot, assistants, and train managers, as well as a dedicated route, making it harder to accommodate the rush of festival travellers.
Why The Ro-Ro Service Was Introduced
Konkan Railway already operates Ro-Ro trains that carry loaded trucks between Kolad and Tumkur (near Mangaluru). Encouraged by that model, the railways planned this service for private car owners, especially those travelling to Goa or the Konkan region for vacations or holidays.
The idea is to reduce road traffic, pollution, and travel fatigue by offering a relaxed train journey while your car travels with you. But with just one confirmed booking and no halts at key stations, the pilot project is off to a rocky start.
What Lies Ahead
The Konkan Railway will monitor bookings until August 13. If enough people don't sign up (minimum 16 vehicles), the train may not run at all.
While the concept of travelling with your car by train is exciting, many feel the timing, pricing, and lack of flexibility have made it difficult for average passengers to get on board.
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First Published:
July 29, 2025, 15:51 IST
News mumbai-news India's 1st Ro-Ro To Goa Let's You Travel On Train With Your Car! But It May Get Cancelled | Why
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