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Siltation stops Ro-Ro ferry service again

By Nischal Sanghavi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet project Ro Ro ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej coast has run into rough weather again. Inaugurated by the PM in October 2017, the service had first stopped in January 2018 due to dredging issues. Till now, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has carried out dredging thrice in order to ensure a hassle free service.

But now, once again the services will be stopped from September 24 and for an indefinite period.

The government had spent Rs 615-crore towards the first phase of the project which reduced the 350-km distance between Ghogha near Bhavnagar and Dahej in Bharuch to 31 km, thus cutting down on the travel time from about 8 hours to 1.5 hours.

As per the notice on the official website of DG Sea Connect, "The Service is stopped due to non-availability of the water (inadequate depth) at Dahej approach Channel and Dahej port area." The notice says that the service is stopped till further notice. As per Mukesh Kumar, vice chairman and CEO of Gujarat Maritime Board, the water is being continuously discharged due to overflowing Narmada dam. Due to heavy rainfall this monsoon, the average discharge of water from Narmada dam is 4-6 lakh cusecs.

According to GMB, siltation, which is the undesirable phenomenon of deposition of granular material at the bottom, has been occurring heavily and unexpectedly in navigation channel at Dahej Ro Ro Terminal.

This has decreased the water level to 1 metre.

According to Chetan Contractor Chairman and Managing Director of Indigo Seaways, the Ro Ro ferry service has been on and off due to problems like dredging and siltation in the Gulf of Cambay where the ferry operates.

So far, the service has been closed down thrice due to dredging issues. Contractor said that it is not safe to run a ferry service when the water level has reduced. If the service is operated in such a situation, it will pose a danger for the passengers as the ferry may stop midway due to siltation. He said he was not aware when the service would resume.

As per Bhavnagar based businessman Nirav Mehta, the ferry service is useful because it cuts the travel time to Surat and Mumbai, but it is risky to plan a trip by Ro Ro ferry because the service might stop anytime, and your schedule will get affected. "The government should conduct proper feasibility studies and make necessary arrangements before starting ferry services," he said. As per GMB, the dredging will begin in the first week of October.

Once the appropriate depth is achieved, only then will the operator be informed about resumption of the service. GMB, however, is also exploring the possibility of alternate navigation channel at Dahej. They have also approached Ocean Engineering department of IIT, Chennai for technical advice. The Ro Ro ferry service has transported over 3.31 lakh passengers and 70,000 vehicles till August 2019.

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