Ro-Ro ferry service would help vehicular traffic: Modi

Development of Ro-Ro ferry service terminals at Ghogha in Bhavnagar and at Dahej in Bharuch, will help in drastically changing the passenger and vehicular traffic in the region, chief minister Narendra Modi said.

Modi, who is here to lay the foundation stone for constructing the Ro-Ro terminal at Ghogha, 20 km from Bhavnagar, tomorrow, told this to PTI on Tuesday.

"The government has taken up the task of developing Ro-Ro ferry services between Dahej and Ghogha, at a cost of Rs 296 crore, on a priority basis.

The purpose of the project is to facilitate the establishment of a vehicular and passenger ferry service across the the Gulf of Khambhat," Modi said.

Roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships are vessels, designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as automobiles, trucks, trailers, etc, that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels. Goods and passengers are transported from one shore to another by ferry vessels in many parts of the world.

"The state government has taken up various initiatives, which will ensure an integrated development of ports and port-related industry," Modi said about the development of ports in Gujarat.

Due to its peculiar geographical configuration, the Gulf of Khambhat has advantage for the operation of Ro-Ro ferry service, a top official of Gujarat Meritime Board said.

Looking to the advantage of ferry network to speed up travel within the Saurashtra and south Gujarat with reduction in distance of same and at the same time relieve congestion on the state highway around the gulf, in line with the Port policy announced by the state government, he said.

The official added that the circuitous road distance around the gulf between the proposed terminals of Ghogha and Dahej is 360 km, while the distance between the two terminals is approximately 31 kms.

"Gujarat government, through its visionary policies and proactive measures, has ensured that these natural advantages are not wasted. Government has led Gujarat to become number one maritime state in the country," Modi said.