Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Ro-Pax terminal at Hazira and flagged off the Ro-Pax ferry service between Hazira and Ghogha in Gujarat through video conferencing. On the occasion, he announced the renaming of Ministry of Shipping as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said today, people of Gujarat have got their Diwali gift. Everyone will benefit from this better connectivity. He added that business will be boosted and connectivity will become faster. He further said RO-PAX service between Hazira and Ghogha has made dreams come true for the people of Saurashtra and South Gujarat, as the journey is shortened from 10-12 hours to 3-4 hours. He said this will save time and expenses will also be reduced. He said about 80,000 passenger trains and 30,000 trucks will be able to take advantage of this new service in a year.
He additionally mentioned the brand new Ro-Pax ferry service launched on Sunday will scale back the gap between Bhavnagar to Surat, which is round 375-km by highway, to 90-km by sea route.
This will even scale back the journey time from 10-12 hours to a few to 4 hours, he mentioned.
“The service will help people save both time and cost and also reduce traffic congestion on roads and reduce pollution,” PM Modi mentioned.
The three-deck Ro-Pax Ferry Vessel Voyage Symphony connecting Hazira in Surat district in south Gujarat and Ghogha in Saurashtras Bhavnagar has a load capability of 30 vehicles, 100 passenger automobiles, and 500 passengers plus 34 crew and hospitality employees, as per a press release earlier launched by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).