As first reported by mid-day, the Konkan Railway is set to launch its service to ferry private cars between Mumbai and Goa by train, just in time for Ganeshotsav. The initiative will begin from August 23 between Kolad, Maharashtra, and Verna, Goa. This is the first time in India that such a service is being launched.

A maximum of three people per car will be allowed to travel in the attached 3AC coach on paying the prescribed fare. Freight charges per car will be Rs 7875 in each direction, with 40 cars per train. “The departure from Kolad will be at 5 pm, reaching Verna at 5 am the next day. Customers shall report at the starting station on or before 2 pm, that is, three hours before departure,” an official said. The train journey will take about 12 hours, halving the time taken by road (20 to 22 hours, depending on traffic).

“The train will have a composition of 20 wagons, and each wagon will be loaded with two cars. In the event fewer than 16 cars per trip are booked, the service will be cancelled. The driver and accompanying passengers shall travel in the passenger coach attached to the train by paying the prescribed fare for the applicable class — Rs 935 per passenger for 3AC class, and Rs 190 for 2S class seating. A maximum of three passengers (Two passengers in 3AC coach and one pax in Seating cum Luggage (SLR coach) will be permitted against each car booking,” he added.