‘Ro-Ro ferry service from Hazira to Saurashtra in 2018’

Surat: Ro-Ro ferry service from Hazira to Ghogha, Pipavav and Diu is likely to begin in 2018, said Union minister of state for shipping and transportation Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday. The minister was visiting facilities at Magdalla Port in Surat on Saturday.
He also said that under the project of Indian waterways, government plans to start waterways in Narmada and Tapi rivers. He added that detailed project report (DPR) for the projects was ready.
Talking to TOI, Mandaviya said, "We want to join Surat with Saurashtra by 2018 so that a person from Saurashtra can come to Surat in the morning and return by evening. We have some infrastructure ready and if we wish we could start passenger ferry service in few months. But we would like to start proper Ro-Ro and Ro-Ro Pax services as there is a great scope of cargo transport on this route."
According to the Union minister, the sea transport route would help state economy in a big way as goods from Alang, cement from Saurashtra could be transported to Hazira directly from Saurashtra saving several man hours and fuel cost.
Talking about waterways, Mandaviya said, "Under National Waterways Act, 106 additional waterways would be developed, including 176 km in river Tapi and 126 km in river Narmada."
by via Surat News, Latest Surat News Headlines & Live Updates - Times of India