DG Sea Connect

DG Sea Connect is a RORO/ROPAX ferry service connecting Ghogha and Hazira in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat state of India. The original route to Dahej was opened in 2017 and suspended in early 2020 due to lack of financial feasibility in dredging the siltation after the channel was silted up due to floods.[1]

DG Sea Connect
LocaleGujarat
WaterwayGulf of Khambhat
Transit typeRORO/ROPAX ferry
RouteGhogha ⇆ Hazira,
Ghogha ⇆ Dahej (suspended)
OperatorIndigo Seaways Pvt Ltd
Operation will start8 November 2020 (2020-11-08) (new)
Began operation22 October 2017 (2017-10-22) (original),
Ended operation21 March 2020 (2020-03-21) (original)
System length60 kilometres (37 mi)
Travel time2-3 hrs
No. of lines1
No. of vessels1
No. of terminals2
Yearly ridership3,31,000 passengers; 7000 vehicles (October 2017 - August 2019, original route)

History

The project was started in 2012 by Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat.[2] The first phase between Ghogha and Dahej cost ₹6.15 billion (US$86 million) to the exchequer.[3][4] 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.[5] The RORO services was launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 October 2017.[6][7] The ROPAX passenger services were launched in August 2018 by the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.[8][9]

In first one and half year, the services were suspended six times due to various reasons.[8] The services were again suspended from October 2019 to February 2020 due to siltation at Dahej.[10][11] It was again suspended on 21 March 2020 due to dredging issue. Gujarat Maritime Board had spent ₹100 crore (US$14 million) to dredge a five metre draft for the ferry in financial year 2018-19.[12] Later it was announced that Dahej-Ghogha ferry was permanently suspended due to siltation and lack of financial feasibility in dredging. Small vessels will be operated instead.[13]

An alternative jetty at Hazira was considered for the services. In July 2020, Adani Hazira won the bid to lease their jetty.[12] The ROPAX services between Ghogha and Hazira was inaugurated on 8 November 2020 by Prime Minister Modi.[13][14]

Operations

The ferry is operated by the Indigo Seaways Pvt Ltd[10][7] in partnership with Gujarat Maritime Board.[15]

The ferry is 2015 Korean-built Voyage Symphony model.[16][9][7] It has a capacity of 525 passengers, 80 cars and 30 trucks.[15][7] Between October 2017 and August 2019, about 3.31 lakh passengers and 7000 vehicles had used the service.[15]

See also
Similar rail development
Similar roads development
Similar ports and river transport development
Similar air transport development
General

References
  1. Gujarat: PM to launch Ghogha-Hazira 'Ropax' ferry service on 8 Nov, Times of India, 1 Nov 2020.
  2. "What is ro-ro ferry service that PM Narendra Modi inaugurated at Ghogha?", India Today, 22 October 2017
  3. "Modi inaugurates roll-on-roll-off ferry service in Gujarat", The Tribune, 22 October 2017
  4. "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.
  5. "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
  6. "What is Gujarat's Ro-Ro ferry service?", The Indian Express, 22 October 2017
  7. "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.
  8. "दहेज-घोघा रोपेक्स सर्विस आज से फिर होगी शुरू". Patrika News (in Hindi). Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  9. "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.
  10. "Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry to begin February 24 after five months". The Times of India. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. "Dahej – Ghogha RORO ferry service to resume from February 24". DeshGujarat. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  12. "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.
  13. "Gujarat: PM Modi to Launch Ghogha-Hazira 'Ropax' Ferry Service on Nov 8". News18. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  14. "Ropax Ferry Service will decrease transportation costs, aid ease of business, says PM Modi". hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  15. "Ro-Ro ferry suspended due to siltation at Dahej port". The Times of India. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  16. "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.
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