The modern Ro-Ro ferry Gangotri sails past an older blue ferry on the Mandovi river.
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
PANAJI
Goa currently operates ferry services on eight routes, and the State government hopes to upgrade all of them to Roll on, Roll off (Ro-Ro) services, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today as he launched two modern Ro-Ro ferries, Gangotri and Dwarka, on the Chorao, Ribandar route.
Calling it the first Ro-Ro service of its kind in India, Sawant said the project marks a significant step forward in Goa’s waterway transport infrastructure. “With this service, we are setting a national example. It will not only benefit local commuters but also boost tourism,” he said.
Built under a public-private partnership (PPP) model and constructed entirely in Goa, the new ferries promise faster, safer, and more efficient transport across the Mandovi. Each ferry can carry 15 to 16 vehicles, four times the capacity of a conventional ferry, and features dual end ramps to enable smooth, continuous movement of traffic. The crossing time between Ribandar and Chorao is now reduced to just 5 to 7 minutes.
