Hazira – Surat : Port Connectivity in Gujarat is fully developed and now Ro Ro ferry service has been started, it will boost the development of port cities. Inaugurating the Hazira-Ghogha Ro-Pax service through virtual medium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it is a diwali festival gift to the people of Gujarat. The years old dream of the people of Saurashtra-South Gujarat has come true. He also inaugurated the newly constructed port terminal at Hazira. Stating that the drive to realize the dimensions of a new self-reliant (AatmaNirbhar) India will enrich the country’s ports with the definition of development, the Prime Minister said that the Ro-Pax service is an excellent example in the development of the maritime sector. The best connectivity with the convenience of business will benefit time, fuel as well as the environment. 80,000 passengers will be able to travel in a year. Farmers will also be able to sell goods safely by sea. Engineers and workers have been contributing with difficulty to start Ro-Pax ferry service in Gujarat. Gujarat’s coastline is rich. Referring to this, the Prime Minister said that the development of port connectivity with maritime capability in two decades is the pride of Gujarat.
Ship building policy, construction of terminal, solid cargo, connecting Mundra Port Terminal with ground level connectivity, which has given a new direction to the port sector. The Central and State Governments have focused on developing the coastal area. The Prime Minister said that work is being done very fast on capacity building with infrastructure for maritime business development in Gujarat. The Prime Minister said that Maritime University would be the largest center in the country to boost maritime trade. Where trained manpower will be created as well as facilities up to MBA in Maritime Management Shipping and Logistics with Maritime Law and International Trade Law. Besides, Gujarat Blue Economy is getting ready to develop with many facilities like world class CNG terminal in Maritime Cluster, Bhavnagar. The Prime Minister said that the focus is on accelerating water transportation. With system development will work with simplification of single window system with best feature of infrastructure. So that maritime transportation will gain momentum very quickly. The country is rapidly moving in the direction of Multimodal Connectivity to reduce the cost of logistics. He added that there were also vast opportunities for trade with neighboring nations by sea.
The Chief Minister said that the launch of the world class Ro-Pax service connecting Surat with Saurashtra in a short time would protect the environment, which will shorten the distances and with less fuel. Due to which various new projects have become possible in Gujarat today. Earlier Gujarat had endured injustice for years, but with all the cooperation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has become a role model today. He said that the years old question of Gujarat’s crude royalty has been resolved, adding that the first bullet train project in Gujarat, AIIMS, recognition of institutions as National Institutes, tourism sector have helped the Central Government in many areas. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani further said that development work in Gujarat and the country has not been stalled at a time when the entire world was stagnant in the Corona era. He said that Gujarat and its coastline were throbbing with adventurous traders even in ancient times and would continue to do so in the future. Union Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that it was a golden opportunity for Gujarat. He said that Gujarat has been associated with maritime trade for centuries. The government has done an important job of accelerating this. The first Ro-Pax service has been launched in the country under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The government is fulfilling the aspirations of the people through development.
