Sagarmala: Govt okays Rs 234-cr dredging project for Gogha-Dahej ferry services

To promote coastal shipping under its Sagarmala project, the government has approved a Rs 234-crore dredging project for ferry services between Gogha and Dahej in Gulf of Cambay, Gujarat. “As part of promoting coastal shipping in the country under Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Shipping has sanctioned the Capital Dredging Project for Ro Pax Ferry Services between Gogha and Dahej in Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat,” Ministry of Shipping said in a statement on Monday.

The ministry released Rs 58.50 crore as first installment of grant-in-aid to Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). The total project cost is estimated to be Rs 234 crore and of which 50 per cent will be funded by the Centre under the Sagarmala programme, the release further said.

According to ministry’s official release, the project would result in reduction in motorable distance of 231 kms between Gogha & Dahej to mere 31 kms and reduce the travel time from 7 hours to 1 hour only by crossing the Gulf in Cambay in 17 nautical miles. The initiative would not only reduce the travel time but also result in savings in fuel, reduction in CO2 emission and reduction in road congestion.

The project is first of its kinds in India as it will be executed in the area of world’s 2nd highest tidal range. The project would open up new avenues in coastal shipping and tourism and help in socio-economic development of proximate areas. It would also help in utilisation of inland waterways through River Narmada for shipping goods from industries located upstream.

It is one of the flagship projects under Sagarmala which aims to increase share of waterways transportation in modal mix to 10 per cent from present level of 7 per cent by year 2025.

Recently, a German delegation, led by its Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt, had a detailed meeting with Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari related to various aspects of infrastructure development. 

“We have sought Germany's co-operation in developing our infrastructure, including railway connectivity to our ports, in our planned Rs 1 lakh crore projects to be undertaken by Indian Port Rail Corporation Ltd (IPRCL),” Gadkari had said.