Dahej–Ghogha Sea Connect
Ferry service in India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dahej–Ghogha Sea Connect (DG Sea Connect) is a RORO/ROPAX ferry service connecting Ghogha and Hazira in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat, started in 2020.
| Locale | Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Gulf of Khambhat |
| Transit type | RORO/ROPAX ferry |
| Route | Ghogha ⇆ Hazira |
| Operator | Indigo Seaways |
| Began operation | 8 November 2020 |
| System length | 60 kilometres (37 mi) |
| Travel time | 2-3 hrs |
| No. of lines | 1 |
| No. of vessels | 2 |
| No. of terminals | 2 |
| Website | Official website  |
History
The project was started in 2012 by Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat.[1] The first phase between Ghogha and Dahej cost ₹6.15 billion (US$73 million) to the exchequer.[2][3] It was envisioned to reduce the travel time between the two places from 6–8 hours by road to 1-1.5 hours by sea.[4] The RORO services was launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 October 2017.[5][6] The ROPAX passenger services were launched in August 2018 by the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.[7][8]
In its first one and a half year, the services were suspended six times due to various reasons.[7] The services were again suspended from October 2019 to February 2020 due to siltation at Dahej.[9][10] It was again suspended on 21 March 2020 due to dredging issue. Gujarat Maritime Board had spent ₹100 crore (US$12 million) to dredge a five-metre draft for the ferry in financial year 2018–19.[11] Later it was announced that Dahej-Ghogha ferry was permanently suspended due to siltation and lack of financial feasibility in dredging.[12][13] In March 2021, a ferry service carrying only passengers was restarted. The smaller ship has a capacity of 130 passengers and makes a single trip daily.[14]
Later an alternative route to Hazira was considered for the services. In July 2020, Adani Hazira won the bid to lease their jetty.[11] The ROPAX services between Ghogha and Hazira was inaugurated on 8 November 2020 by Prime Minister Modi.[12][15]
Operations
The ferry is operated by the Indigo Seaways Pvt. Ltd.[9][6] in partnership with Gujarat Maritime Board.[16]
One of the ferry is 2015 Korean-built Voyage Symphony model.[17][8][6] It has a capacity of 525 passengers, 80 cars and 30 trucks.[16][6] Between October 2017 and August 2019, about 3.31 lakh passengers and 7000 vehicles had used the service.[16] In September 2022, another ferry Voyager Express was launched with a capacity of 600 passengers, 55 trucks, 25 tempos, 70 cars and 50 two-wheelers.[18]
See also
- RORO ferries in India
- Indian Rivers Inter-link
- List of national waterways in India
- Sagar Mala project, national water port development connectivity scheme
- Water transport in India
- Ghogha ROPAX Ferry Terminal
