New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Ro-Pax terminal and flag off its ferry service from Hazira to Ghogha in Gujarat on November 8 through video conferencing.
The inaguration of the terminal will be a big step towards the Prime Minister’s vision of harnessing waterways and integrating them with the economic development of the country, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
During the virtual event, PM Modi will also interact with local users of the service, while Union MoS for Shipping Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will also be present on the occasion.
The statement said that, the Ro-Pax terminal being inaugurated at Hazira, about 100 meters length and 40 meters width, has cost implications of approx Rs 25 crores with wide ranging facilities including administrative office building, parking area, substation and water tower etc.
The Ro-Pax ferry vessel, ‘Voyage Symphony’ is a three decks vessel, which has a load capacity of 30 trucks on the main deck, 100 passengers cars on the upper deck and 500 passengers plus 34 crew and hospitality staff on the passenger deck, it added.
Moreover, there will be several benefits of the Hazira-Ghogha Ro-Pax ferry service. It will work as a Gateway to South Gujarat and Saurashtra region, PMO said in a statement.
It will reduce the distance between Ghogha and Hazira from 370 Km to 90 Km with the reduced cargo travel time from 10 to 12 hours to about 4 hours.
Furthermore, the ferry service will also give an impetus to the tourism industry with ease of access to Saurashtra region and lead to creation of new job opportunities.
With the onset of ferry services, the port sector, furniture and fertilizer industries in Saurashtra and Kutch region will get a big boost, including eco-tourism and religious-tourism in Gujarat, the statement noted.
-RJV
