Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa flagged off the maiden roll-on roll-off (RORO) train from Bengaluru to Solapur through a videoconference on Sunday morning.
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Bengaluru Ashok Kumar Verma said that the first train will transport 42 loaded trucks on open flat wagons.
“As it is the first train from the city, we need to do some safety tests. Once it is done, the train will leave Nelamangala to Solapur on Monday,” he said.
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The RORO train will transport goods from the Peenya industrial area. Each truck will be loaded with 30 tonnes of cargo. It will cover a distance of 682 km, via Dharmavaram, Guntakal, Raichur, and Wadi to reach Bale near Solapur in Maharashtra.
Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi said the trial service of the RORO train was introduced after studying the traffic of goods trucks between Bengaluru and Solapur since April.
On an average, 7,000 trucks run daily between the two points. “The introduction of RORO trains will help reduce road traffic and the consumption of fuel. A truck takes 36 to 38 hours to reach the final destination whereas a RORO train will cover the distance in 17 hours,” he said.
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RORO train services were first introduced by Konkan Railways in 1999. According to Mr. Angadi, the speed of freight trains has increased from 20 kmph to 50 kmph.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the introduction of the train will help the agricultural sector and transportation of goods to APMCs and industrial areas. “The new train service will help in the transportation of industrial and agricultural products from Bengaluru and in receiving onion, pulses, and other goods from Maharashtra,” he said.
On the occasion, Mr. Angadi requested the State government to clear hurdles for the Hubballi-Ankola railway line. “It is a pending project. Implementing this project will help the import and export of goods by operating RORO trains,” the Minister said. In his reply, the CM said that top priority will be given for implementing suggestions made by Mr. Angadi.
The Hubballi-Ankola line has been met with opposition from environmentalists as the track alignment extends to over 168 km and cuts through the Western Ghats. Experts believe it would destroy the existing biodiversity hotspot.