Ribandar-Chorao Ro-Ro ferry service launch after second vessel arrives

PANAJI
It may be over a week since one of the two Roll-in-Roll-out (Ro-Ro) ferries arrived and a trial run was carried out but the River Navigation Department (RND) is unlikely to press it into service very soon on the Ribandar Chorao route.

Minister for River Navigation Subhash Phal Dessai told 'The Goan' on Friday that no decision has been taken yet on pressing the ferry that has arrived and tested into commercial service on the Chorao-Ribandar route.

"There are several issues we have to take care of. First, the second ro-ro ferry must arrive. Only then we can decide when to launch the service," Phal Dessai said.

According to Phal Dessai the two Ro-Ro ferries were contracted by the government to Rassaim-based Vijay Marine Services on the BOT (build and operate) basis after a tender process.

"We have not paid any money for the ferries. Vijay Marine Services which delivered the first ferry will also operate the crafts. We will only be paying them for the operation of the service which can only begin after the second ferry is ready," Phal Dessai said.

According to the minister, the cost of operations on the Chorao-Ribandar route will be around the same as what the department bears in operating the six ferries it operates currently on the same route.

"It's newer technology and a good step forward to improve Goa's inland water transport sector," Phal Dessai said but did not commit to any timeline as to when the service will commence.