Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa flagged off Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO-RO) train between Bengaluru (Nelamangala) to Solapur (Maharashtra) through video conferencing.
The train consists of an open flat wagon. It was flagged off from Nelamagala station at 9:15 AM on Sunday.
The train will take 17 hours to cover 682 kms and reach its final destination. This train can carry 42 trucks with goods at a time.
RORO service reduces accidents on the road, improves safety, saves fuel, and foreign exchange. It will also ensure faster transportation of essential goods, food items, and cargo.
Its USP lies in the fact that it can transport a large amount of goods and reduces pollution.
"The RO-RO train with 42 loaded goods trucks on its flat wagons will take 17 hours to reach Solapur, covering 682km distance between the two cities," an official of the South Western Railway (SWR) zone told IANS.
Drivers and their assistants like cleaners of each truck will sit in their vehicles during the journey.
"Some trucks will roll out of the wagons en route from where they drive to the delivery station to offload the goods. The train will have technical halts at specific stations for water and food," said the official.
Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, who is the ruling BJP`s Lok Sabha member from Belagavi in the state`s northwest region, state Revenue Minister R. Ashoka, state Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkhiholi and senior officials of the zonal railway were present on the occasion.
(With IANS inputs)