PANAJI
The two Ro-Ro ferries launched by the Department of Inland Waterways on the Ribandar-Chorao route have cost the State exchequer nothing as the government chose the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to implement the project.
The two ferries already operating on the Ribandar-Chorao ferry route since Monday have been built by Vijay Marine Services at a cost of Rs 25 crore, and the company will be operating the ferries on a build and operate basis.
The ferries will be crewed, serviced and maintained by the company itself, and no staff of the Inland Waterways Department will be deployed on them, a senior official said.
However, ticketing revenue will be collected by the department, which will pay Vijay Marine Services the costs of operating the two Ro-Ro ferries as per the actuals, including factoring in the cost of building them, the official said.
The company will cover all the costs of refuelling, maintenance as well as repairs in case of any damage, the official added.
