Drive Onto A Train: KRCL Plans Car-Carrying Rail Service On Mumbai-Goa Route

Mumbai, 9th June 2025: In a move that could redefine travel along India’s western coastline, the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) is preparing to launch a Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) train service for private vehicles, including cars and SUVs, between Mumbai and Goa. This upcoming initiative, modeled on KRCL’s successful Ro-Ro freight service for trucks, aims to offer a safer, more comfortable, and eco-friendly alternative to the often treacherous road journey.

The pilot service is expected to begin around the Ganapati festival season and will allow passengers to drive their vehicles onto specially designed rail wagons, then relax while the train transports them through the scenic Konkan route. The 10- to 12-hour road journey between Mumbai and Goa is known for sharp turns, ghat sections, heavy traffic, and seasonal weather disruptions—all of which this service hopes to circumvent.

The Ro-Ro model involves vehicles being driven onto low-floor rail wagons using ramps. These wagons can accommodate vehicles up to 3.425 meters in height and have already been in operation for trucks running between Kolad in Maharashtra and Mangalore in Karnataka. Truck drivers typically accompany their vehicles and rest in their cabins during transit. A similar system will be employed for private cars, although each train will require a minimum of 40 vehicles to operate cost-effectively.

In anticipation of the monsoon, KRCL has enhanced its preparedness across the route. This year, the special monsoon timetable will run from 15th June to 20th October. These include deploying 636 trained personnel to monitor vulnerable areas, installing LED signals and automated rain gauges at key locations, and enforcing speed restrictions during low visibility conditions.

Having already established a reliable freight Ro-Ro system, extending the model to private vehicles marks a significant step forward for KRCL. If successful, the project could serve as a blueprint for similar services on other congested routes across India, offering road-trippers a premium, stress-free alternative while reducing highway congestion and environmental impact.