Title - RoRo rakes in moolah for Konkan Rly

With the rail-road mass rapid transport system bringing in a revenue of 205 crore since its inception in January 1999, the KRCL is planning to add another rake to its existing five.


The Konkan Railway is planning to go in for a sixthrakeforitsRollOn-Roll Off (RoRo) services after this monsoon. The service,whichenablescarrying loaded trucks directly on rakes, was launched on an experimental basis 13 years ago. The truck is accompanied by the driver and co-driver.
“With ports rapidly developing and heavy industries coming up along the coast, RoRo service has proved to be the most viable option. A dumper can roll on to the RoRo rake and roll off at the destination, unload materials at the industrial units and return to the port again on the rake. Each rake can carry up to 40 trucks,” said Nandu Telang, deputy chief manager (commercial), Konkan Railway Corporation.
    The service was introduced in January 1999 between Kolad (145 km south of Mumbai) and Surathkal. At present, the servicecoversthreesectors.Kolad-Verna (Goa) covers a stretch of 417 km in 8-10 hours, Kolad-Surathkal (721 km) in 21-24 hours and Ankola-Surathkal (205 km) in 3-5 hours.
    For the working of India’s first rail-road mass rapid transport system, no goods shed or depot is required - only a ramp at the end of the loop line with approach road is enough. Unloading and loading of rake is completed in about two hours. The average speed of a RoRo train is 40 kmph.
    The dimensional requirements are two or three axle trucks with height not exceeding 3.40 metres. Only general commodities and non-dangerous liquids are allowed in tankers. Since its inception, the rakes have carried a total of 2,54,731trucksandbroughtin a revenue of Rs 205.6 crore. Konkan Railway plans to net Rs 40 crore in the current year.