MARGAO
River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai has said the Ro-Ro ferry service can help tap the huge revenue potential and help push forward pending concepts such as water tourism, water taxis and water metro service in Goa.
Saying that the Ro-Ro service can bring increase in revenue for the Tourism Department, the Minister said the service serves as an example how Goan waters can be used to tap revenue collection.
Expressing satisfaction over the Ro-Ro service, the Minister said, “So many new concepts come in our minds, which will help give a boost to water transport besides generating revenue for the Tourism Department.
He added: “We have to explore the capacity of the Ro-Ro service. Then, we will implement the pending concepts such as water tourism, water taxis and water metros in the State.”
To a question, Phal Dessai said the Ro-Ro ferries, beautifully built by local entrepreneur Vijai Marine, has a capacity to transport 16 four-wheelers, 40 two-wheelers, besides 150 passengers at one time. “This means that two Ro-Ro ferries will be able to handle the work of six ferries, especially on the Ribandar-Chodan route,” he said.
That’s not all. The Minister said there is no financial burden on the government over the upkeep and maintenance of the Ro-Ro ferries. “The Ro-Ro service has been implemented on the build and operate model. The bidder will look after the maintenance and upkeep, while we will collect the revenue. It is a good revenue model. I hope and pray that the concept will pave the way for the introduction of water metro and water taxis,” he added.
