Mumbai: In a major step towards boosting transport convenience on the Mumbai–Goa corridor, Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) is set to expand its car Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) service by developing dedicated loading ramps and related infrastructure at three key stations — Sawantwadi Road, Ratnagiri and Sangameshwar. The expansion aims to establish the car ferry service as a regular offering, particularly benefiting travellers during peak festive seasons like Ganeshotsav and Diwali.

The announcement came during KRCL's 35th Foundation Day celebration held in Vashi on Wednesday. Speaking at the event, KRCL chairman and managing director Santosh Kumar Jha told media that the car-carrying train service, which was piloted during this year’s Ganesh festival, received an overwhelmingly positive response from passengers.

He added that they have finalised Sawantwadi Road, Ratnagiri and Sangameshwar for ramp construction and support infrastructure after conducting detailed site assessments. He also hoped that it would help them further scale the Ro-Ro network.

Initially launched between Kolad and Verna, the car Ro-Ro service offered a hassle-free alternative to the often congested and pothole-ridden Mumbai–Goa highway. Based on feedback, the route was later extended to Nandgaon Road, with the inaugural service carrying seven cars. Since then, KRCL has seen a steady rise in demand for this unique service.

To further enhance infrastructure across its network, KRCL has submitted a funding proposal of ₹7,776 crore to the Ministry of Railways. The investment would cover upgrades such as track replacement, modernisation of overhead electrical systems, and the renewal of ageing assets. Jha said the corporation expects clearance for the proposal by March 2026.

He also highlighted the success of this year’s Ganpati season, where KRCL operated a record 381 special trains, generating ₹45 crore in revenue. On the financial front, the organisation has repaid ₹1,150 crore of its debt, with the remaining ₹600 crore expected to be cleared by the end of FY 2024–25 or early FY 2025–26 — paving the way for Konkan Railway to become a debt-free enterprise.