Dahej–Ghogha Sea Connect

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Dahej–Ghogha Sea Connect (DG Sea Connect) is a RORO/ROPAX ferry service connecting Ghogha and Hazira in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat, started in 2020.

Dahej–Ghogha Sea Connect
LocaleGujarat
WaterwayGulf of Khambhat
Transit typeRORO/ROPAX ferry
RouteGhoghaHazira
OperatorIndigo Seaways
Began operation8 November 2020 (2020-11-08)
System length60 kilometres (37 mi)
Travel time2-3 hrs
No. of lines1
No. of vessels2
No. of terminals2
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

History

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The project was started in 2012 by Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat.[1] The first phase between Ghogha and Dahej cost 6.15 billion (US$74 million) to the exchequer.[2][3] It was envisioned to reduce the travel time between the two places from 6–8 hours by road to 1-1.5 hours by sea.[4] The RORO services was launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 October 2017.[5][6] The ROPAX passenger services were launched in August 2018 by the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.[7][8]

In first one and half year, the services were suspended six times due to various reasons.[7] The services were again suspended from October 2019 to February 2020 due to siltation at Dahej.[9][10] It was again suspended on 21 March 2020 due to dredging issue. Gujarat Maritime Board had spent 100 crore (US$12 million) to dredge a five metre draft for the ferry in financial year 2018-19.[11] Later it was announced that Dahej-Ghogha ferry was permanently suspended due to siltation and lack of financial feasibility in dredging.[12][13] In March 2021, a ferry service carrying only passengers was restarted. The smaller ship has a capacity of 130 passengers and makes a single trip daily.[14]

Later an alternative route to Hazira was considered for the services. In July 2020, Adani Hazira won the bid to lease their jetty.[11] The ROPAX services between Ghogha and Hazira was inaugurated on 8 November 2020 by Prime Minister Modi.[12][15]

Operations

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The ferry is operated by the Indigo Seaways Pvt. Ltd.[9][6] in partnership with Gujarat Maritime Board.[16]

One of the ferry is 2015 Korean-built Voyage Symphony model.[17][8][6] It has a capacity of 525 passengers, 80 cars and 30 trucks.[16][6] Between October 2017 and August 2019, about 3.31 lakh passengers and 7000 vehicles had used the service.[16] In September 2022, another ferry Voyager Express was launched with a capacity of 600 passengers, 55 trucks, 25 tempos, 70 cars and 50 two-wheelers.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "What is ro-ro ferry service that PM Narendra Modi inaugurated at Ghogha?", India Today, 22 October 2017
  2. ^ "Modi inaugurates roll-on-roll-off ferry service in Gujarat", The Tribune, 22 October 2017
  3. ^ "Dahej-Ghogha Ro-Ro ferry services: Narendra Modi's dream project to dramatically reduce travel time in Gujarat; details here". The Financial Express. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Dahej-Ghogha Ro-Ro ferry services: Narendra Modi's dream project to dramatically reduce travel time in Gujarat; details here", Financial Express, 22 October 2017
  5. ^ "What is Gujarat's Ro-Ro ferry service?", The Indian Express, 22 October 2017
  6. ^ a b c d "Guj: Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Pax ferry service to start on Oct 27". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  7. ^ a b "दहेज-घोघा रोपेक्स सर्विस आज से फिर होगी शुरू". Patrika News (in Hindi). 7 April 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani launches Ghogha-Dahej 'Ro-Pax' service, says 'will launch Ghogha-Hazira route by Dec'". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry to begin February 24 after five months". The Times of India. 22 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Dahej – Ghogha RORO ferry service to resume from February 24". DeshGujarat. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Adani firm wins Ro-Ro terminal bid for Hazira, offers lease of Rs 1/month". The Indian Express. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Gujarat: PM Modi to Launch Ghogha-Hazira 'Ropax' Ferry Service on Nov 8". News18. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Gujarat: PM to launch Ghogha-Hazira 'Ropax' ferry service on 8 Nov". The Times of India. 1 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Ghogha-Dahej ferry service resumes after 18 months | Rajkot News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  15. ^ "Ropax Ferry Service will decrease transportation costs, aid ease of business, says PM Modi". hindustantimes.com. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  16. ^ a b c "Ro-Ro ferry suspended due to siltation at Dahej port". The Times of India. 24 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  17. ^ "भावनगर के घोघा से दहेज के बीच वाहनों के लिए शुरू होगी रो-रो फेरी सर्विस". aajtak.intoday.in (in Hindi). Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  18. ^ "New vessel to start RoPax ferry services between Ghogha and Hazira". The Indian Express. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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