ECR: Ro-ro service between Sheikhpura and Begusarai soon

PATNA: The East Central Railways (ECR) is likely to start ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) service between Sheikhpura and Tilrath in Begusarai from February.
A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting between the officials of the state transport department and the ECR earlier this week. According to them, loaded trucks will now be directly carried by railway wagons to their destinations.
Transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal told this newspaper on Saturday that the ro-ro service will reduce the movement of heavy vehicles on the J P Setu between Digha and Sonepur.
“Traffic on the J P Setu has doubled after a ban was imposed on the movement of heavy vehicles on the Rajendra Setu in Begusarai in December last year. The National Highways Authority of India had taken the decision in view of the bridge’s dilapidated condition,” Agarwal said and added the district transport officers would provide certificates, stating the weight of the trucks to be carried by railway wagons.
At the recent meeting between transport department and ECR officials, it was decided that ro-ro services would also be started between Mokama and Begusarai and Bihta and Begusarai soon.
Sources claimed that the ECR would provide the necessary infrastructure and facilities for starting the ro-ro service.
ECR’s chief freight traffic manager, Sanjay Kumar, said special ramps to load and unload trucks and lorries would also be made available at Sheikhpura and Tilrath.
“We are trying to reduce the pressure on the J P Setu by introducing ro-ro service from February. The cost of transportation depends on the distance covered, but it usually costs anywhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 per truck of 15 tonnes,” Kumar added.
Earlier, in 2016, the ECR had started ro-ro service between Bihta and Turki in Muzaffarpur. It was, however, stopped after some time.