Gandhinagar, 20 March 2012

In order to provide better connectivity through the sea route to state’s industrial hub of Kutch, the Gujarat government has undertaken surveys at different places to start roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ferry service, the state assembly was informed today. Ro-Ro ferries are special vessels on to which vehicles can drive in and be accommodated for the sea journey on special vessel decks within the vessel.

The state government has undertaken surveys in the coastal areas of Suvali, Pipavav and Jaffarabad to Kutch for starting another Ro-Ro Ferry service, after the bhoomi poojan done for Dahej-Ghogha Ro-Ro service, Gujarat Tourism Minister Jaynarayan Vyas told the House in reply to a query from a member.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi in January had laid the foundation stone for the Ro-Ro Ferry Service Terminal in Ghogha, connecting Saurashtra with South Gujarat (Dahej) in the Gulf of Cambay. The Rs 296 crore project aims to facilitate speedy passenger travel and smooth cargo movement through the sea route between Ghogha and Dahej by reducing the 360 km land-route to a 31 km sea-route.

Vyas cited delay in clearance from the Centre for late start of the project conceptualised way back in 2003 by the government, saying the proposal was sent for approval to Government of India in 2005. “The special Ro-Ro vessels plying between Dahej-Ghogha will have capacity to ferry 900 passengers and 100 vehicles in one trip,” he said.