Panaji, Jul 14 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday launched the Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) service in the Mandovi River, connecting Chorao island to the capital city Panaji.
Introduced by the state river navigation department, the service is being operated by a private player on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.
Sawant launched the service in the presence of State River Navigation Department Minister Subhash Phal Desai and others.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the Ro-Ro service will replace the traditional ferry boats, which have been operating on this inland route for decades, and will help to reduce carbon footprint due to its environment-friendly engine.
He said PM Narendra Modi-led government aims to utilise inland waterways to decongest roads.
“People should know that when the government constructs any jetty, it would only be for public transport and not for any other purpose,” he said, indirectly addressing allegations that inland waterways infrastructure was being set up for coal transportation.
Minister Phal Desai said the Ro-Ro ferries were named Dwarka and Gangotri as a tribute to our rich culture.
The service will reduce the travel time from the mainland to Chorao Island to just 13 minutes from the earlier 30 minutes. PTI RPS ARU
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