Written by: Gopal Kateshiya
2 min readRajkotJun 15, 2016 09:20 PM IST
First published on: Jun 15, 2016 at 09:20 PM IST
GMB suspended ferry services between Okha and Bet Dwarka for three hours on June 15 as a precautionary measure.
With the sea turning rough as monsoon looms, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) suspended ferry services between Okha and Bet Dwarka for three hours on June 15 as a precautionary measure.
The wind speed picked up at Okha late morning on June 15 and GMB officers, who monitor boats ferrying passengers and pilgrims between Okha and Bet Dwarka, ordered suspension of services for safety reasons. “It is a normal process that whenever wind picks up and sea turns rough, we order suspension of the ferry service. Today, it remained suspended from 10:30 am to 2 am. But as conditions improved, boats started plying later in the afternoon,” said a senior GMB officer posted in Okha.
Bet Dwarka is an island located 2.6 kilometres off Okha coast in Devebhoomi Dwarka district. A temple of Lord Krishna is located on the island and it is one of the biggest places of worship of Hindus in the country. Pilgrims take rides on ferries to reach the island and then return back to the mainland. But ferry service get suspended frequently during rainy season.
“We take decision instantly whenever we feel that the sea is not suitable for sailing. The ferry operators and fishermen can sail even in rough sea. But in such conditions, it is not advisable for people who are not accustomed to sailing in such conditions to board the boats. Therefore, we order suspension,” the officer added.
He said that their decision depends on the velocity of wind and condition of sea.
GMB suspended ferry services between Okha and Bet Dwarka for three hours on June 15 as a precautionary measure.
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