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Representative Image - Ferry boats from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves. (Photo by Kalpak Pathak/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
In a big connectivity boost for Gujarat, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will launch open the 'Ropax' ferry service between Ghogha in Bhavnagar and Hazira in Surat on 8 November, reports Times of India.
Once opened for public, the service would shorten the 370-kilometre road distance between Ghogha and Hazira to mere 60 kilometres via sea route. It will carry both passengers and heavy vehicles. Also, in a single journey, the Ropax ferry vehicle will be able to move 550 people, 30 trucks, seven smaller trucks and 100 two-wheelers.
This would significantly improve the connectivity between South Gujarat and Saurashtra regions, given the service would be an all-weather service which would remain operational even in times of high tides.
In addition to this, several more of similar services will also be launched open by PM Modi on 8 November. These would include services in Kerala's Kochi and on Brahmaputra river in Assam. One such service will also be launched to connect North East with Kolkata. Also, a service connecting Assam's Karimganj to Bangladesh over the Barak river will be launched by PM Modi on the same day.