Railways will launch Roll-on Roll- off (RO-RO) service tomorrow from Gurugram, shifting the movement of loaded trucks from the roads to the rails.
RO-RO service aims to reduce carbon emission and congestion on the roads of the national capital region (NCR) as about 66,000 diesel-guzzling trucks pass through Delhi and its adjoining areas in a day.
According to railways, there are about 20,000 trucks which are not meant for the NCR, but enter the region to travel further.
These trucks can now avail the RO-RO service which will not only result in reduction in the pollution level but also help in decongesting the roads, said a Railway Ministry official involved with the project.
Aiming at addressing the ever-increasing level of vehicular pollution in the NCR, railways will start the RO-RO service from Gurugram.
As per the plan, about 30 loaded trucks will be transported on the flat wagons from Garhi Harsuru station in Gurugram for Muradnagar in Uttar Pradesh.
It is a win-win situation for truckers as well as for railways as goods will be transported in safe and faster way saving cost on diesel and man-days besides effecting the pollution level, he said.
Besides the RO-RO service, long-term business agreement with various freight customers like manufacturers of cement, steel and fertiliser and food grains will also be firmed up to increase loadings as part of the new action plan.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will announce a series of measures unveiling the new business plan-2017-18 tomorrow to perk up revenue.
The new business plan-2017-18 will also unveil double stack dwarf containers for the movement of goods from Punjab to Gujarat on the electrified route.
With a height of 12 ft 8 inches, dwarf containers are specially designed keeping the overhead electric wire in mind to carry maximum goods. Double stack containers are generally 17 ft high.
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