Launched with much fanfare, Konkan Railway's Ro-Ro to Goa has just one booking in one week
The Ro-Ro, which can accommodate 40 cars per trip, has been planned as a non-stop run from Kolad in Maharashtra to Verna in Goa. Just before the Ganpati festival, the Konkan route becomes extremely busy for the railways, which operate regular and special trains with coaches exceeding their carrying capacity. Sources in the railways said that the majority of the queries they had received pertained to whether the Ro-Ro halted at important stations like Ratnagiri and Sawantwadi, which see a high footfall of people going to their hometowns to celebrate Ganeshotsav. However, since there are no facilities available for loading and unloading cars at these stations, there will be no halts, said railway officials.
The Ro-Ro facility is proposed to be operated on alternate days in each direction until September 11. The bookings for the service will close on August 13 for the route that commences from August 23 from Kolad and August 24 from Verna.
Akshay Mahapadi, secretary of the Akhand Konkan Railway Pravasi Seva Samiti, Maharashtra, pointed out that the 12-hour train journey offered no time saving over the 10 to 12 hours by road during peak congestion, especially considering the three-hour-earlier reporting and car-loading period. 'Also, the high cost of ₹7,875 per vehicle plus individual passenger fares is not affordable for most families,' he said. 'The concept is innovative but its timing is highly unsuitable. They should have announced this around December for the New Year's celebration.'
The rail passenger associations fear that the Ro-Ro will eat up space that otherwise could be used to run more Ganpati special trains. At present, Central Railway has announced 250 special trains and Western Railway will operate 44 special trains for the festival. The rail passenger associations said that running the Ro-Ro train would require a full set of operational staff (loco pilot, assistant, guards, train manager) and an entire path on the already saturated Konkan Railway route that could instead be used to operate Ganpati special trains.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kedarnath Yatra remains suspended after landslide; 4,100 rescued, debris 50% cleared
Mussoorie: Over 4,100 pilgrims have been rescued so far — including 500 evacuated on Friday — after the Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath Dham was suspended due to a massive landslide at Munkatia between Sonprayag and Gaurikund in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Wednesday. Kedarnath Dham was suspended due to a massive landslide at Munkatia between Sonprayag and Gaurikund in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Wednesday. (Sourced/HT) 'All 500 stranded pilgrims en route to Gaurikund from the Kedarnath temple have been rescued and sent to their destinations. A thorough survey by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) confirms that no pilgrims remain stranded along the Kedarnath Yatra route up to the shrine,' sub-inspector of SDRF Ashish Dimri, who headed the rescue team, said. Heavy overnight rain had washed away a 50-metre stretch of the road, cutting off the main route for vehicles and pedestrians on Wednesday. 'Over 50% of the debris removal work on the affected stretch has been completed, and the route is likely to reopen for pilgrims by Saturday evening,' Dimri said, adding that pilgrims are being stopped at Sonprayag until the route is deemed safe for travel. A total of 84 roads remain closed across Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh are the worst-affected districts, with 20 and 17 road closures, respectively, according to official data. Also read: Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath suspended after landslide in Rudraprayag district Uttarkashi's Yamunotri National Highway was blocked near Mehargaon after boulders fell on the road. District disaster management officials said that the debris is being cleared from the highway with JCB machines and will soon be reopened. Meanwhile, a buffalo died after a cowshed in Khetpali village of Tehri district was damaged by mud debris triggered by overnight rains. Parts of Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri districts experienced light to heavy rainfall till Friday afternoon. The state recorded an average of 17 mm rainfall over the 24-hour period till Friday morning, with several districts reporting surplus rain — Pithoragarh recorded 40.4 mm (90% above normal), Udham Singh Nagar 30.6 mm (144% surplus), Bageshwar 105% above average, and Chamoli 80% above normal.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
New waiting halls & lounges to enhance passenger comfort at Nagpur station
Nagpur: As part of the ambitious Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Central Railway's Nagpur Division is rapidly advancing the redevelopment of Nagpur Railway Station, with a special focus on enhancing passenger comfort through state-of-the-art waiting halls and lounges. On the east side, a modern and spacious waiting hall is under development with upgraded flooring, stylish wall cladding, improved ventilation, and energy-efficient lighting. False ceiling and louver installation works are in progress, aiming to offer a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for travellers. The west side will soon feature an elegant lounge area designed for long-distance passengers. This space is being refurbished with premium seating arrangements, Divyangjan-friendly amenities, and enhanced sanitation facilities to ensure inclusivity and hygiene. At the concourse level, a grand common waiting area is taking shape between Line 18/19. The foundation and slab work are already completed. This space will serve as a central hub for transit passengers, providing integrated amenities such as digital displays, drinking water stations, and accessible pathways.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt unveils plan to revive Naini Lake as cultural, recreational hub
The Delhi government has launched an ambitious plan to transform Naini Lake in Model Town into a vibrant cultural and recreational space, aiming to turn the urban water body into a key tourism attraction. Technical upgrades — including water pumps, power panels, and LED screens — are already underway. Tourism officials have been asked to fast-track tendering and ensure all elements reflect Delhi's cultural heritage. (HT Archive) Announcing the redevelopment plan on Wednesday, tourism minister Kapil Mishra said the revamp decision was taken in a planning meeting he held with officials from Delhi Tourism and the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC). 'A revamped Naini Lake will give Delhi tourism a new identity,' he said. Among the major upgrades planned are a state-of-the-art laser show on the lake's central island, an upgraded musical dancing fountain, and the installation of two new LED fountains to enhance the visitor experience. The lake will also be opened to a range of water activities including shikara and gondola rides, racing boats, and water scooters. 'All water sports will be launched only after safety measures are in place — including CCTV surveillance, trained lifeguards, and emergency rescue systems,' Mishra said. The minister stated that visitors can look forward to leisurely strolls along new walking tracks flanked by decorative plants and palm trees, while families will enjoy dedicated spaces, lakeside cafés and walking tracks. In a move to enhance the lake's ecological and aesthetic appeal, the department has proposed introducing ducks and swans, as well as a pneumatic system to improve oxygenation levels in the water. Cultural programming is central to the revival strategy, Mishra said, adding that annual events such as Dev Deepawali and a newly conceived Naini Lake Festival will be hosted to establish the lake as a cultural hub. The minister said strict deadlines will be set, and all developments must meet the highest aesthetic and safety standards. 'Chief minister Rekha Gupta has made it clear our lakes should be living spaces, not just decorative ones,' he said. Technical upgrades — including water pumps, power panels, and LED screens — are already underway. Tourism officials have been asked to fast-track tendering and ensure all elements reflect Delhi's cultural heritage.
