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Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani along with officials from the state and central government were also present at the inauguration ceremony.
He said that the Ropax Ferry Service will enhance ease of doing business and also decrease transportation costs. He said that maritime universities are a growing sector in the state given the size of its port industry.
Features of Ro-Pax Ferry service
- The ferry service will reduce the 370-km road distance between the two places to 60-km by sea route.
- The Ropax ferry vehicle can transport up to 550 passengers, 30 trucks, seven smaller trucks, and 100 two-wheelers in one trip. It will be an all-weather service which will operate all 12 months irrespective of the weather conditions and high tide.
- 100 meter long and 40 meter wide Ro-Pax terminal, constructed with the cost implications of approximately Rs 25 crore, has facilities like an administrative office building, parking area, substation, and water tower.
- The reduced cargo travel time from 10 to 12 hours to about four hours will also result in huge savings of fuel which is estimated to be around 9,000 litre per day and lower the maintenance cost of vehicles drastically.
PM Modi said that the connectivity boost given by the ferry service will impact everyone starting from traders to students.
He also said that the name of the Ministry of Shipping will be changed to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. He said all affairs related to shipping and waterways come under the ambit of the Ministry of Shipping and a change in name will bring clarity to the work the department is assigned to do.