DG Sea Connect

DG Sea Connect or Dahej–Ghogha Sea Connect is a RORO/ROPAX ferry service connecting Dahej and Ghogha in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat state of India. It was opened in 2017.

DG Sea Connect
LocaleGujarat
WaterwayGulf of Khambhat
Transit typeRORO/ROPAX ferry
RouteGhogha ⇆ Dahej
Ghogha ⇆ Hazira (proposed alternative)
OperatorIndigo Seaways Pvt Ltd
Began operation22 October 2017 (2017-10-22)
System length31 kilometres (19 mi)
Travel time1-1.5 hrs
No. of lines1
No. of vessels1
No. of terminals2 (operational), 1 (proposed)
Yearly ridership3,31,000 passengers; 7000 vehicles (October 2017 - August 2019)

History

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$86 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 Rs. 100 crore to dredge a five metre draft for the ferry in financial year 2018-19.[11]

An alternative jetty at Hazira was considered for the services. In July 2020, Adani Hazira won the bid to lease their jetty.[11]

Operations

The ferry is operated by the Indigo Seaways Pvt Ltd[9][6] in partnership with Gujarat Maritime Board.[12]

The ferry is 2015 Korean-built Voyage Symphony model.[13][8][6] It has a capacity of 525 passengers, 80 cars and 30 trucks.[12][6] Between October 2017 and August 2019, about 3.31 lakh passengers and 7000 vehicles had used the service.[12]

The 17 nautical miles (31 kilometres) are covered in 2 hours.[8]

Other RORO in India

Other RORO ferry services in india include the following:

  • Pandu Port (Guwahati), 1 vessel operated on NW2 by IWAR with capacity of 200 passenger, 4 cars and 2 trucks.[14]
  • Dhubri Port, 1 vessel operated on NW2 by IWAR with capacity of 200 passenger, 4 cars and 2 trucks.[14]

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

References
  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. India, Press Trust of (25 October 2018). "Guj: Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Pax ferry service to start on Oct 27". Business Standard India. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  7. "दहेज-घोघा रोपेक्स सर्विस आज से फिर होगी शुरू". Patrika News (in Hindi). Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. "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. "Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry to begin February 24 after five months". The Times of India. 22 February 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. "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. "Ro-Ro ferry suspended due to siltation at Dahej port". The Times of India. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  13. "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.
  14. Inland Waterways Authority of India to provide Assam four new state-of-the-art Ro-Pax vessels, Economic Times, Jul 28, 2020.
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