Latest news with #Ro-Ro
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Konkan Railway may run Ro-Ro train service to ferry cars if adequate demand: Official
Mumbai, Jun 4 (PTI) 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 ₹ 301 crore in 2023-24. As per unpublished reports, the corporation is expected to register a profit of ₹ 140-150 crore in the last financial year.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 ₹ 3,150 crore through tendering processes in the last 15 months and is already executing works of ₹ 4,087 crore, the official said. "About ₹ 7,200 crore of work orders are already in my hand and this year, we have targeted to get ₹ 15,000 crore of orders. I have full faith that we will achieve this target," Jha said. The KR has planned to spend ₹ 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 ₹ 99 crore for the development of 11 stations on the KR network. Now, the MIDC is spending ₹ 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 ₹ 5,100 crores, but these works need ministerial help. At present, the Konkan Railway has about ₹ 2,750 crore loan to repay and the corporation has planned to clear ₹ 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.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Kochi Metro boat grazes Ro-Ro vessel at Vypeen; none injured
KOCHI: A Kochi Water Metro ferry brushed a Ro-Ro jhankar at Vypeen jetty on Saturday morning after its pilot lost control of the vessel due to strong undercurrents. However, no one was hurt. The incident happened at 10.23am when the metro boat from High Court veered in the gushing waters while attempting to berth at Vypeen jetty. The boat went 20m rearward and brushed the jhankar berthed at the adjacent corporation jetty. The jhankar was ready to set off for Fort Kochi with passengers and vehicles on board. The steel railing on the side of the jhankar was damaged. The metro boat also suffered slight damages. A Kochi Metro spokesperson however said that neither of the vessels suffered any damage. 'All the passengers alighted safely after the vessel was moved to the boat jetty. Ferry services were suspended for close to two hours as the undercurrents due to low tide were strong,' the official said. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd has instituted an internal probe.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Kochi Water Metro mishap sparks fresh safety audit demands
Kochi: Commuters on a Kochi Water Metro boat had a narrow escape on Saturday morning when the vessel lost control and collided with a stationary Ro-Ro boat at Vypeen jetty. The incident occurred around 10.30am as the Water Metro boat was attempting to dock at the Vypeen terminal, which is located adjacent to the Ro-Ro jetty. Although no passengers were injured, the collision has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of water transport operations in the area. According to Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML), the boat had been operating on its regular route from the High Court terminal to Vypeen. As it approached the jetty, a strong undercurrent caused the vessel to drift backward and lightly hit the anchored Ro-Ro boat. "Neither vessel suffered major damage, and there was no inconvenience to passengers. With the help of another boat, the passengers disembarked at the jetty. Service was temporarily suspended until the current's strength decreased, after which the operations resumed," stated a press note issued by KWML regarding the incident. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which oversees KWML, has initiated a detailed investigation into the incident. KWML CEO Sajan P John said the preliminary probe points to an unusually strong undercurrent during low tide as the reason for the mishap. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Boat operators rely on visible signs on the water surface and scientific tidal data from our control centres to assess such risks. The driver involved was a trained and experienced operator," he said. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in the area. In Nov 2023, two Water Metro boats slightly grazed each other while slowing down near the same location, causing the emergency exit on one of the boats to open automatically and triggering alarms that led to panic among commuters. Though no injuries were reported, the incident raised similar safety concerns. The area has a history of maritime accidents. In 2015, a major collision between a fishing boat and a passenger ferry claimed 11 lives near Vypeen. Several civic groups, including the Kochi Metro Passengers Association, have demanded a safety audit. "Three different jetties—SWTD, Water Metro, and Ro-Ro—operate adjacent to each other at Vypeen, increasing the risk of accidents during berthing," said association member Ebencer Chullikkadu. Launched in April 2023, the Kochi Water Metro is India's first integrated water transport project and recently won a national award for the 'Best Green Transport Initiative'.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Work on third Ro-Ro vessel begins in Kochi
Kochi: Marking the inauguration of the work on third Ro-Ro vessel , steel cutting ceremony of the vessel was conducted on Wednesday. The construction will be completed within a year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Contract for building the vessel for the corporation was signed with (CSL) on Nov 13, 2024. Corporation has allocated Rs 14.9 crore, including GST, for the project. Financial assistance for this project is provided by Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML). The vessel is designed to be 28.43m long and 8.25m wide, with a design speed of six knots. The vessel, classified under IRS Classification Society, was designed by the shipyard's in-house design department. It is configured to carry four trucks, 12 cars and 50 passengers. "The original schedule for completion set by shipyard authorities was one-and-a-half years. Following our requests, shipyard authorities agreed to complete the entire work within a year," mayor M Anilkumar said. The steel cutting ceremony was attended by Hibi Eden, MP, TJ Vinod, MLA, and KJ Maxi, MLA. Also present were deputy mayor KA Ansiya, various standing committee chairpersons, councillors Antony Kureethara and S Sashikala, KSINC managing director R Girija, Steel Industrials Kerala Ltd chairman Muhammad Iqbal, managing director TG Ullas, CSL directors and other officials. With the arrival of third Ro-Ro, even if there is a technical fault at any point, the service can continue uninterrupted with the other two Ro-Ros. This will make travel from Fort Kochi to Vypeen, as well as from Ernakulam to the tourist areas of Kochi and Mattancherry, more convenient.
STV News
24-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Electric hydrofoil ferry tests pushed back amid months of delays
An electric hydrofoil passenger boat is due to begin testing in Orkney next month after the original arrival dates of January and March came and went. The small vessel, along with another 50-passenger boat, is due to be trialed in the isles county after a successful £15.5m bid was made to the UK Government's Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) Fund. That bid came from Orkney Islands Council-run Orkney Ferries Ltd, Belfast-based Artemis Technologies, and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). Dubbed the Electric Orkney project, the aim is to boost the council's decarbonisation efforts. The smaller of the two vessels is due to arrive ahead of the larger one. Before it can start ferrying passengers between Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre, Shapinsay, and the Orkney mainland, it needs to undergo sea trials. Following the nearly four-month delay, a team from Orkney will be down with Artemis Technologies in Belfast next week A spokeswoman for the company said the visit will include sea trials and 'final acceptance' of the vessel. It's then expected that the boat will arrive in Orkney 'within a matter of weeks.' The spokesman said: 'With the nature of this type of project and the groundbreaking technology involved, small, not uncommon delays have occurred as efforts to ensure all processes are correct and complete at each milestone are prioritised.' The project presents an exciting, speedy, and cutting-edge way for Orcadians to get around the islands. The hydrofoil technology means the hulls of the vessels will be lifted completely out of the water when they sail. The hope is that the new vessel could bolster the existing council-run ferry service permanently. However, this will depend on how much they are used during the three-year trial The council has been asking the communities on the islands how they might use the additional service. The Rousay, Egilsay, and Wyre Development Trust is a development organisation run by the islanders for the benefit of the 260 people who live on the three islands. Its chairman, Peter Roebuck, told the LDR service the communities will welcome the hydrofoil vessels. However, there are still questions and concerns about how they will operate. The project must also not distract from the need to replace Orkney's aging fleet of roll-on, roll-off ferries (Ro-Ro), he says. Mr Roebuck said: 'Our communities welcome the opportunity to stay at the cutting edge of renewable technology in trialling these boats. 'There is a combination of enthusiasm for the potential to improve connectivity between our islands and Mainland Orkney, together with some trepidation about their reliability. 'Also, there is real concern about the impact these boats may have on further extending the timetable for replacing our outdated and aging Ro-Ro ferry. 'The continuing five-year delay on Orkney Harbours Masterplan Phase 2 continues to concern our communities about how and when our Ro-Ro will be replaced. 'So far, we have seen no sign of how passengers will locally embark or disembark these electric hydrofoils at all stages of the tide, nor how the boat will be recharged at terminals outside Kirkwall. 'We look forward to hearing more about when the trial will start, having seen no evidence of the necessary infrastructure being in place for them to start in the coming months.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
