Projects planned at Pipavav, Muldwarka, Ghodbunder, Veldur, Vasai, Kashid, Rewas, Manori and JN Port
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is financially supporting 45 projects with total project cost of Rs.1,900 crore under the ambit of Sagarmala and promotion of the Ro Ro/RoPax transportation.
This update was given by Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on 26 July 2022, highlighting the immense potential and distinct advantages of ferry service.
Additional projects are planned at Pipavav and Muldwarka in Gujarat and Ghodbunder, Veldur, Vasai, Kashid, Rewas, Manori and JN Port in Maharashtra, he said.
The Ministry is also supporting 4 projects in Andhra Pradesh, 2 projects in Odisha and 1 each in Tamil Nadu and Goa.
Elaborating, he said the Ministry has operationalized Ro-Pax Ferry services between Ghogha-Hazira in Gujarat and Mumbai-Mandwa in Maharashtra.
These services have transported more than 7 lakh passenger and 1.5 lakh vehicles, contributing towards clean environment and public welfare.
Sonowal underlined that water-based transportation service is an effective measure to lower the logistics costs, reducing travel time, reduce traffic congestion on road/railways, reduce noise pollution and promote coastal shipping on several feasible routes.
He also told the House that the “Guidelines for Operationalization of Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferry service along the coast of India” seeks to homogenize and streamline the development and operations of ferry services, along with, promoting ease of doing business by eliminating unnecessary delays, disagreements and introducing digital interventions at customer interface. fiinews.com