The CM was in Ghogha to inaugurate the cargo-and-passenger service on Saturday.
Splashing good news on the people of Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday said his government would start a ferry service between Ghogha and Hazira by December. The CM was in Ghogha to inaugurate the cargo-and-passenger service on Saturday.
"We will also explore if the service could be extended to Mumbai," said Rupani before taking his maiden voyage of Ro-Pax ferry from Ghogha to Dahej. Rupani said the state will also be exploring possibilities of connecting Kutch to places like Dwarka, Somnath and Porbandar.
"At present, the devotees from Kutch travel a long distance to visit the religious places. We will explore the possibility of a ferry service on the lines of the one operating between Ghogha and Dahej," said Rupani while addressing the media aboard Voyage Symphony.
The leader said the projects will help exploit the untapped waterways of Gujarat and, at the same time, help reduce congestion on roads.
Speaking about how the service will help Saurashtra, Girish Shah, former president of the Saurashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said currently many businessmen from Saurashtra have set their eyes on South Gujarat, particularly Surat. "The service will help businesses flourish once it reaches Hazira. More importantly, lesser travel time will encourage businessmen to set up shops in Bhavnagar. The new connectivity will ensure better availability of everything," a cheerful Shah said.
He added a lot of businesses in Surat, particularly textile and diamond, were set by businessmen from Saurashtra. At present, he said, Bhavnagar is geographically in a corner. But, once it is linked to Mumbai, the place will grow as a business centre in Saurashtra.
Jitu Vaghani, state BJP president, who also interacted with the passengers and the businessmen, urged the people to make the most of the service.
On its maiden voyage, almost all the passengers of the ferry we're guests of the state government or the BJP.
The Ro-Pax ferry is expected to cut down travel time between Ghogha and Dahej from 12 hours by road to just 2 hours. More ferries could be added depending upon the response. The service plans to lure bus operators between Bhavnagar and South Gujarat by offering them reduced transportation time and more economical methods of travelling. It will save the bus operators money in terms of fuel burned.
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