PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday launched Roll on Roll off (RORO) service in River Mandovi connecting Chorao island to the mainstream near Panaji.
The service introduced by State River Navigation department is being operated by a private player on Built Own Operate and Transfer basis.
Sawant launched the service on Monday in presence of State River Navigation Department minister Subhash Phal Desai and others.
The chief minister said that this is the first ever RORO ferry service in the state which will carry the vehicles and the passengers.
He said that this service will replace the traditional ferry boats which has been servicing this inland route for decades.
Sawant said that the introduction of this service will help to reduce carbon footprints due to its environment friendly engine.
He said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aiming to utilise the inland waterways to decongest the roads.
Sawant said that the state government intends to introduce more RORO ferry boats across other inland routes.
“People should know that when the government is constructing any jetty, it would be only for the public transport and not for any other purpose,” he said, indirectly referring to the allegations of setting up inland waterways infrastructure for coal transportation.
Minister Phal Desai said that these ferries are named as Dwarka and Gangotri as a tribute to our rich culture. He said that these ferries will reduce the travel time from the mainland to Chorao island to mere 13 minutes from earlier 30 minutes.
