The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today inaugurated Phase 1 of the RO RO (Roll on, Roll off) ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej. This ferry service shall reduce the travel time between Ghogha in Saurashtra, and Dahej in South Gujarat, from about seven or eight hours, to just over an hour. Phase 1, inaugurated today, enables passenger movement. When fully operationalized, this ferry service will also enable movement of vehicles.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Sarvottam Cattle Feed Plant of Shree Bhavnagar District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd.
Addressing a large gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that he is happy to be in Gujarat to personally convey new year greetings. He said that this programme, for the launch of a ferry between Ghogha and Dahej, is of vital importance for the entire nation. Noting that this ferry service is a first of sorts, the Prime Minister said it is a dream come true for people of Gujarat.
He said that the history of human civilisation illustrates the vitality of rivers and maritime trade. Gujarat is the land of Lothal; how can we forget these aspects of our history, he added. This programme is to bring back to life our glorious past; and connect Saurashtra with South Gujarat, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said that people from these two regions frequently travel to and fro; and this ferry service will save a lot of time, as well as fuel.
The Prime Minister said that in the last three years, a lot of importance has been given to the development of Gujarat. He said Gujarat has a long coastline, and we should harness the opportunities that arise out of this. He said that steps have been taken in developing coastal infrastructure. This ferry service too, he added, would not be restricted to this one route. He said that other places too would be linked through ferries. He said the goal of the Union Government is to make the transport sector integrated, and state-of-the-art.
The Prime Minister travelled on the maiden voyage of this service, from Ghogha to Dahej. During this voyage, he was given a briefing about the ship, and the ferry service. He also interacted with divyangjan children on board the ship.
Addressing a gathering in Dahej, the Prime Minister said that the Government's vision is ports for prosperity. India needs better ports and more ports, he added. Without proper connectivity, the economic development of a nation slows down, he asserted, adding that the Government has focused on port infrastructure.
The Prime Minister mentioned the Government's stress on the blue economy, which he said is integral to the vision of a new India.
I am happy to be in Gujarat to personally convey new year greetings. This programme may be for a ferry between Ghogha and Dahej but this programme is of vital importance for the entire nation: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/jpFV6tlcjn
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
Ferry service is a first of sorts. Its a dream come true for people of Gujarat. I am also here with regard to a project in dairy sector, a sector to which we have given immense importance over the last two decades. I urge people to explore opportunities in animal husbandry: PM pic.twitter.com/xPC0SBjVoe
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
The history of human civilisation illustrates the vitality of rivers and maritime trade. Gujarat is the land of Lothal. How can we forget these aspects of our history. This programme is to bring back to life our glorious past, connect Saurashtra & South Gujarat: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/lGylk55HXF
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
Imagine how much time and petrol this ferry service will save. This ferry service connects Saurashtra and South Gujarat...people from these regions frequently travel to and fro: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
When I was serving as CM, I faced hostility from the then Central Government. Efforts were made to stall industries and the state's growth. Over the last three years we have changed that and given importance to the development of Gujarat: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/0GGdQQM2Sp
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
Gujarat is blessed with a long coastline and we should harness opportunities arising due to this. We took steps in developing coastal infrastructure: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/BRrx6lbzvl
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
This ferry service will not be restricted to this one route. We are planning to link other places also through ferries: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/tqpFp0J7Bh
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
Sadly, our transport sector was not integrated enough. We have changed that in the last three years. The goal is to make our transport sector integrated and state of the art: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/ac5uY3yhQc
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017
