The Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off) service launched by the Konkan Railway in 1999 has earned them '255 crore. Close to it’s 24th foundation day celebrations on October 15, a Konkan Rail official disclosed that the corporation has now crossed annual earnings of '50 crore. This service provides transportation of loaded goods trucks from one place to another. Trucks are loaded like a parcel package on train flats and taken to their destination. It’s operated between those stretches where road traffic is risky and time and energy (fuel) consuming. Over three lakh goods trucks have been carried by this service so far. There are two services provided, one between Kolad and Verna (a distance of 417 km and delivery is within 12 hours), and the second between Kolad and Surathkal (a distance of 721 km and delivery within 22 hours). “This service benefits not only the truck owners as well as the railways while saving precious diesel for the country, it also saves wear and tear of tyres, reduces maintenance cost of trucks, enables faster turn around of trucks, faster delivery of goods, gives higher profits, less pollution, and better road safety,” said Vaishali Patange, chief PRO of Konkan railways. Transport experts too laud this mode of transportation. “The Ro-Ro service is cheaper and eco-friendly than road transport. It has decongested the national highway considerably and still giving a hassle-free ride to the truck drivers,” said transport activist Jitendra Gupta.
