Overview

• The private-car Ro-Ro service opened bookings on July 19 for an August 23 launch between Kolad and Verna and has attracted just one reservation from 38 inquiries in its first week.
• Konkan Railway will cancel the non-stop 40-car service and refund registration fees unless at least 16 vehicles are registered by the August 13 deadline.
• Critics argue that the ₹7,875 freight charge plus a 12-hour journey and three-hour predeparture loading window provide no time or cost savings over road travel during peak Ganpati traffic.
• Rail passenger associations warn that allocating train paths and crews to the car ferry could displace urgently needed Ganpati special passenger trains on the saturated Konkan route.
• Commuters and transport advocates recommend adding intermediate stops at regular stations and using specially designed rakes to improve convenience and boost uptake.