Mumbai To Goa In Style: Take Your Car On A Train

Konkan Railway may soon offer car transport by train from Mumbai to Goa

Travel between Mumbai and Goa may soon become more convenient and stress-free, with Konkan Railway exploring the possibility of transporting private passenger vehicles by train. This new service, modelled on the successful ‘Roll-on Roll-off’ (Ro-Ro) system for trucks, aims to provide an alternative travel option for car owners while easing road congestion.

The initiative would allow travellers to drive their cars onto specially designed train wagons and accompany them on the journey. Once launched, it could significantly reduce travel time, fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear, particularly along the challenging Konkan coastal route. The project is expected to be piloted as early as the upcoming Ganapati festival season.

Konkan Railway’s Ro-Ro service, operational for years, currently transports trucks between Kolad in Maharashtra and Mangalore in Karnataka. This system uses custom-built wagons equipped with ramps, enabling vehicles to roll onto the train and be secured for transit. By shifting freight transport from road to rail, the Ro-Ro model has helped reduce fuel consumption, travel times and highway congestion.

Encouraged by the success of the truck-based Ro-Ro, Konkan Railway is now considering expanding the service to private passenger vehicles like cars and SUVs. According to Santosh Kumar Jha, Managing Director and Chairman of Konkan Railway, this new variant could provide both practical and environmental benefits, especially during the monsoon season when road conditions deteriorate due to landslides and water-logging.

The Mumbai-Goa highway journey typically takes 10 to 12 hours and includes winding ghats, heavy traffic, and unpredictable weather. By opting for the rail-based car transport system, travellers could bypass these challenges, save fuel and enjoy a more relaxed journey. Passengers would have the comfort of traveling alongside their vehicles, eliminating the hassle of long hours behind the wheel.

Konkan Railway is also enhancing its infrastructure to handle monsoon-related disruptions more effectively. The monsoon timetable has been shortened by 10 days this year, and additional safety measures such as 636 trained personnel for vulnerable zones, automated rain gauges, LED signals and speed restrictions during low visibility have been introduced.

If successful, the pilot project could pave the way for similar services on other high-traffic routes across India, providing a safer and more efficient travel option for private vehicle owners.