Govt to spend Rs 1,900 cr for 45 Ro-Ro ferry projects

According to an official statement the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways will now financially support 45 Ro-Ro (roll-on-roll-off) ferry projects having a total cost of Rs 1,900 crore. The ministry operationalised Ro-Pax (roll-on-roll-off passenger) ferry service from Ghogha-Hazira in Gujarat to Mumbai-Mandwa in Maharashtra. The services transported over 7 lakh passengers and 1.5 lakh vehicles, which contribute to a clean environment and public welfare. The projects have high demand and potential, and additional projects have been planned at Pipavav and Muldwarka, Gujarat and Ghodbunder, Vasai, Veldur, Manori, Kashid, Rewas, and JN Port, Maharashtra, the statement added. The ministry prepared a draft of 'Guidelines for Operationalisation of Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferry services with the coast of India once they incorporated the preliminary inputs received from the stakeholders. The statement added that the guidelines will homogenise as well as streamline the development and operations of ferry services. It will further promote ease of doing business via eliminating unnecessary delays, disputes, and introducing digital interventions at the customer interface. The guidelines would further help state/UT governments and Port authorities to implement such projects by standardisation of procedures, it said. Image Source Also read: India’s total merchandise exports to be at $117.2 bn in Q1 FY23