The demand for RORO service from truckers has made Konkan Railways to plan for the introduction of a sixth rake on the route. Konan Railway Corporation (KRC) expects a revenue of Rs 40 crore from the RORO (roll-on roll-off) service this fiscal.

RORO is a service that enables loaded trucks to be carried directly on railway wagons between two destinations.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr Nandu Telang, Deputy Chief Commercial Manager, KRC, said that the service was started with one rake in 1999. Now, it has five rakes in the system.

Considering the good demand from truck operators, the KRC is planning to introduce a sixth rake on the Konkan Railway route after monsoon. He said at least 100 trucks at Kolad in Maharashtra and 50 trucks at Surathkal in Karnataka will be waiting to roll on to wagons on most days. There is a good demand for this service, he said.

KRC, which carried 35,648 trucks through its RORO service in 2011-12, earned Rs 35.64 crore through this. Asked about the earnings forecast for 2012-13, Mr Telang said the corporation wants to earn Rs 40 crore through the RORO service. In spite of economic slowdown during 2008-09 and 2009-10, Konkan Railway earned Rs 22.43 crore and Rs 23.59 crore, respectively, through the service.

The 721-km RORO service between Kolad and Surathkal takes around 21-24 hours for a one-way journey. Truckers are charged Rs 6,900 for 15 tonnes. Each additional tonne costs Rs 400.

The truck operator, who makes two trips a week by road between these two destinations, can make three trips a week using the RORO service, he said.

>vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

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