Konkan Railway’s Ro-Ro Service Gets Only One Booking In A Week, Ahead Of Ganeshotsav

A week into its rollout, India’s ambitious Ro-Ro train service between Maharashtra and Goa, touted as a first-of-its-kind for private car transport, is facing an unexpectedly tepid response. It was being positioned as a solution to the Ganesh Chaturthi holiday rush along the Konkan corridor, but the response has prompted officials to consider cancelling its inaugural run on August 23.

India’s Debut Ro-Ro Train Receives Lukewarm Response

According to Hindustan Times, The Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) initiative, introduced by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL), was expected to draw significant interest, especially with the festive travel season around the corner. But as of Sunday, only 38 inquiries had been made, and just one user had booked a spot. It is reported that if at least 16 cars are not registered before the August 13 booking deadline, the trip will be called off and full refunds will be issued.

The train is designed to carry up to 40 cars, operating non-stop from Kolad in Maharashtra to Verna in Goa. The idea was to offer a stress-free alternative to the long, winding drive on NH66, which is notorious for bottlenecks during festival weeks. But the model seems to be faltering on multiple fronts such as cost, convenience, and the absence of key halts.

Also Read: “How Far Our Country Has Come,& Solo Woman Traveller Praises Late-Night Train Checks By Female Cops

Key Limitations Of This Service

One major sticking point has been the train’s direct and non-stop itinerary. While Kolad and Verna serve as departure and arrival points, there are no stops at intermediate stations like Ratnagiri and Sawantwadi, which see significant traffic during Ganeshotsav. KRCL officials clarified that neither station currently has the infrastructure required for loading or unloading vehicles.

The train journey takes approximately 12 hours, which is no faster than the road trip during peak traffic. Plus, when you factor in a mandatory three-hour early reporting window for vehicle loading, the Ro-Ro Train becomes even less attractive time-wise.

The fee per vehicle is ₹7,875, exclusive of passenger fares. According to Akshay Mahapadi, secretary of the Akhand Konkan Railway Pravasi Seva Samiti, the pricing structure is out of reach for most families. Operational feasibility has also drawn concern and passenger associations have flagged the use of critical resources such as locomotive crew, guards, and a full track slot for a train with negligible demand. They argue that this compromises the capacity to run more Ganpati special trains, especially when Central Railway has already committed to 250 services and Western Railway to 44, as stated by Hindustan Times. 

Also Read: Train Carrying 100 Passengers Derails In Germany; 3 Dead, Several Injured

If the current trend continues, the Ro-Ro Train will likely miss its launch window. For now, KRCL is watching bookings closely, its fate now hinges on the next few days.

Cover Image Courtesy: andyleunghk/CanvaPro