Team Herald
MARGAO: The RORO (Roll On-Roll Off) scheme of Konkan Railway, started in January, 1999 and which has enabled carrying loaded trucks directly on the railway wagons are now resulting in slipping out from the track and the reason being improved roads and better waterway services.
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Herald reveals that in the present scenario the performance of RORO service of Konkan Railway is not showing the expected progress and the earnings through the service is also hampered. The figures of the last 20 years indicated the decline in earnings and transportation of trucks, except for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016.
In 2013-14 KR earned Rs. 67.20 crore by carrying 55751 trucks, 2014-15 earned Rs. 73.16 crore (55921 trucks) and earned Rs. 65.85 crore (48544 trucks) through RORO service. However, in 2019-20 RORO service carried 33644 trucks and earned Rs. 47.90 crore and in the current year (till date) Konkan Railway has only gained Rs. 44.45 crore and carried 27490 trucks.
Speaking to the Herald, Senior Public Relation Officer Baban Ghatge said that the major reasons for the decline in the RORO services is improved roads and better waterway services.
“Yes, RORO services was aimed at giving better services in the sector of transportation but unfortunately it is leading towards the decline, and the KR is not to be blamed,” said Ghatge.
He further said that the RORO scheme of KR had enabled carrying loaded trucks directly on the railway wagons. The truck is accompanied by the driver and co-driver. Thus reducing the expenditure on diesel, wear and tear of tyres, maintenance of trucks for the operators and improving turnaround of trucks.
“An experiment started by Konkan Railway in sorting out the issue has emerged into a successful mode of transport which has answered the three issues such as terminal management, transit time and claim liability,” said Ghatge.
It must be noted that there are three sectors such as Kolad-Verna (417 kms), Kolad-Surathkal (721 kms) and Ankola-Surathkal (205 kms).
“RORO service is seen to be most viable for the short lead traffic. A dumper loaded in the port can roll on to the RORO rake and roll off at the destination industry, dump the material and go back to the port again using the RORO rake,” said Senior PRO.
As per the report received from the Konkan Railways in the year 1998-99 Rs. 0.39 crore was earned by carrying 522 trucks. In later stages the RORO was seen getting a boost, and in the year 2014, 2015 and 2016 showed excellent performance by KR giving RORO service.
