* There are many good things happening and good practices and initiatives taken by KR since several years which IR should emulate.
* The most notable I think is, KR operates RORO trains through its full entire single non-electrified line of about 740kms and earns a handsome revenue (close to Rs 100 crores per annum) and profit. There are no big cities between Roha and Manglore route of KR.
* IR start on the other hand have about huge Rly network of 65000 RKMs & 100000 Track KMs of track studded with...
more... hundreds of medium & large cities have a huge traffic potential for RORO.
* KR which serves a small and sparsely populated region can earn about 100 crores per annum through RORO. IF IR operate RORO trains through out its network, it can earn an additional revenue of Rs. 10000-20000 crores per annum.
* Thus IR which is facing a huge drop in bulk freight loading offered by power plants & industries leading to phenomenal loss revenue loss and cash shortage. This can be more than made by resorting to RORO train operation through out the IR network.
* It is surprising why IR is unable to replicate the RORO success which is being successfully exploited by KR since 1999? RORO is a boon to all
(1) IR-additional revenues & profits,
(2) truck transporters- Lesser transportation cost/ more profits due to saving in fuel, maintenance cost, time, more safety
(3) National Economy- Reduction in logistic cost leading to more competitiveness of industry, increase in exports etc
(4) People- RORO leads to lesser pollution, lesser traffic and lesser accidents on roads as trucks are taken off the roads.
* Had IR implemented RORO through out its network, there would have been no need to go for unpopular steps like Flexi/ Suvidha/ Special/PT fares, and many other indirect methods of fare increases being adopted in recent times.