What are some things that happen only in India?
Trucks on a trainOne often hears about the Roll On Roll Off service to transport cars and trucks on ships across oceans, rivers or lakes. Such services are common in India and around the world like the Trans Atlantic Roll-On-Roll-Off. But here in India we have Roll On Roll Off service on trains.Presenting to you the Roll On Roll Off service of the Konkan RailwaysIn this service loaded trucks ride piggy back on specially designed BRN wagons moving to their destinations without needing to use roads (specifically the NH 17). The service is referred to as the RoRo - short form of Roll On Roll Off. The drivers simply park their trucks on these trains and bypass all the hazards of road travel, while they sleep peacefully in the cabins of their trucks and enjoy the lush green surroundings of Konkan. This is a win-win situation for the railways as well as truck owners.It is a great advantage to the truckers as it -Saves wear and tear of tyresReduces maintenance cost of trucksEnables faster turn-round of trucksFaster delivery of goodsGives higher profitsEnsures better road safetyThe freight service is a major cash crop for the Indian Railway. The Roll On Roll Off service helps increase the freight revenue for the Konkan Railways by earning upto 50 crore per annum.The beginningThe service was started on 26 January 1999 by the Konkan Railways. The railways advertised on dhabas by using pamphlets in as many languages as possible like Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada. However on the day of its launch only 5 trucks showed up. Gradually by a good word of mouth the takers for this service increased and now it transports upto 50 trucks per rake with 2–3 such rakes per day. By the time it had completed 15 years of its service it had transported 3.5 lakh goods trucks.There are two services of RoRo -Kolad to Verna (a distance of 417 km) in 12 hours (which takes 24 hours by road)Kolad and Surathkal (a distance of 721 km) in 22 hours (which takes 40 hours by road)Eco friendly transportationIn the first 17 years of its service 750 lakh litres of diesel was saved because of the RoRo. It also reduces pollution along the NH 17 and helps decongest the busy highway.ReferencesKonkan RailwayKonkan Railway's unique RO-RO service set to complete 15 yrs on Republic Day | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & AnalysisKonkan Railway’s RORO saves 750 lakh litre diesel