Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually launch a Ro-Pax ferry service from Hazira Port in Surat to Ghogha Port in Bhavnagar and also inaugurate the newly constructed Ro-ro Terminal Port on 8 November. However, a trial of the Ro-Pax ferry, which was held on Friday, was reportedly delayed due to sea currents.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will also be present on the occasion. This will be a Diwali gift from the Prime Minister for the people of Saurashtra who have been living in Surat for years.
Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) Mansukh Mandvia said, “Millions of people from Saurashtra have settled in Surat for years. On good-natured occasions, one has to travel 10 to 12 hours from Surat to Saurashtra. The journey will take only 4 hours due to the Ro-Pax service. Besides, people will be able to take a motorbike or car with them to the village, which was not possible before or was expensive and time-consuming. Thus this service will prove to be a blessing for the people of Saurashtra.”
The Ro-Pax service will make three round trips a day, according to which approximately 5 lakh passengers, 80 thousand passenger vehicles, 50,000 two-wheelers and 30,000 trucks will be able to move in a year. The road distance between Ghogha and Hazira is about 370 km which will be reduced to only 90 km by sea.
The ferry service will save approximately 9,000 litres of fuel per day which can lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. According to estimates, 3 trips per day, 24 MT of carbon emissions per day could be reduced.
The Ro-Pax service, besides generating new employment opportunities, will also boost the tourism industry as it will be easier to reach Saurashtra’s tourist destinations. Goods manufactured by Saurashtra’s small-scale industries can be delivered fast and cheaply to big cities like Surat and from there to Mumbai.
