Maritime board set to roll out RO RO ferry service by 2010-end

“The GMB has already issued on-line pre-qualification bids inviting private firms to construct two ferry terminals at both the destinations– Ghogha and Dahej. The last date for accepting bids is April 20. Immediately after the pre-qualification process is over,technical as well as price bids will be issued. This entire bidding process will be over in August,and soon after that the work will start,” said Project Manager (GMB) A K Mehta.

Mehta told Newsline on Monday that the GMB has engaged a UK-based consultancy firm – M/s Beckett and Ranking – to provide its expertise in planning,designing and managing the terminals and other technical infrastructure needed under the project. “When fully executed by the next year end,the project,for which the state government has already sanctioned funds of Rs 55 crore,will earn a distinction of being the first of its kind in the country,” he said.

The distance across the Gulf of Khambhat between Ghogha and Dahej by the sea route is about 40 kms,whereas the circuitous road distance is 380 kms – about 10 times more. Thus,the ferry service would cut down not only on the distance,but also on the travel duration. The prospective passengers would have to spend just three hours while travelling through this sea route between Saurashtra (Ghogha) and south Gujarat (Dahej),as against the travel time of seven hours they consume at present on the tiresome circuitous road.

The service will not only cater to a substantial number of passengers,but also to transporting vehicles and cargo. A traffic survey conducted by the GMB reveals that ferry vessels were expected to carry over 5,000 vehicles per day,including 2,300 cars/jeeps,2,000 trucks/tankers,600 government as well as private buses and 500 light commercial vehicles.

The GMB has sufficient land under its possession to set up two ferry terminals and other infrastructure at both the destinations. The onshore facilities to be provided by the GMB include terminal and administrative buildings,parking,shelter house,post office,medical air centre,fire station,petrol pump,control room,electric substation,canteen and police station. The offshore facilities will include berthing and approach jetties at both the destinations,link span,bank seat,dredging and navigational aids.

“The ferry service will also help in decongestion of traffic on road and save fossil fuel. Moreover,it will be the least polluting,environment-friendly and a safe mode of transport,” contend a GMB official.

Though the GMB will construct ferry terminals and create other infrastructure under the project,it will invite private operators to run the ferries and allow them to use these facilities by charging certain rates to be fixed by the Board. “Seven to eight private ferry operators have already shown their interest in the project. We will soon invite them for discussion,” said a senior GMB official.