PM Modi to launch Ro-Pax Ferry Service in Gujarat

On November 8, 2020, PM Modi is to launch Ro-Pax ferry service between Ghogha and Hazira in Gujarat through video conferencing.

Highlights

The Ro-Pax ferry vessel called the “Voyage Symphony” is a three-deck vessel. It has a load capacity to load thirty trucks, 100 passenger cars and 500 passengers. The Ro-Pax terminal has a wide range of facilities such as parking area, office building, water tower and a substation.

Benefits

The ferry will work as a Gateway to Saurashtra and South Gujarat. It will reduce the distance between Hazira and Ghogha from 370 km to 90 km. It reduces the cargo travel time from 10 to 12 hours to 4 hours. It helps to save large fuel. Approximately 9,000 litres of fuel is saved per day.

The ferry will transport 5 lakh passengers, 50,000 two-wheelers, 30,000 trucks and 80,000 passenger vehicles.

The ferry service will increase ease of access to the Saurashtra region. It will boost tourism especially, religious tourism in the regions of Somnath, Porbandar, Dwarka and Palitana.

About the service

The ferry service will bridge Gulf of Khambhat. Gogha is a fishing hamlet and Hazira is a greenfield port. Thus, the service will help improve economic activities in the region.

Gulf of Khambhat

It is also known as Gulf of Cambay. It divides Kathiawar Peninsula from the south-eastern part of Gujarat. The rivers such as Tapti, Narmada, Mahi and Sabarmati form estuaries in the region.

To the west of the Gulf lies the Gir Forest National Park that inhabited by the Asiatic lions and to the east of the gulf is the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and Dangs Forest.

Kalpasar Project

The project envisages to build 30 km dam across Gulf of Khambat. This is to establish huge fresh water coastal reservoir for irrigation. In July 2019, 25 of 43 studies on ecological, environmental, financial and social impacts have been studied.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020