Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service will be introduced in the state by year-end, according to Minister for River Navigation Subhash Phal Dessai, who stated on Monday that there had been three instances of ferryboats breaking down in the middle of a trip with passengers on board since 2022.
In response to a query posed by state legislator Jit Arolkar, Phal Dessai stated that the Ro-Ro ferryboat service will begin operating by the end of December. The minister said that a work order will be given to a private company to run two build-and-operate Ro-Ro ferries on the Chorao-Ribandar route.
In response to a follow-up query from Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, Phal Dessai stated that, of the three instances of ferryboats breaking down while carrying commuters since 2022, two were brought on by a “shortage of diesel,” and the third incident—which happened on June 25, 2024—was brought on by inclement weather.
The ministry reported that on March 9, 2022, a ferryboat operating on the Ribandar route, called “Bandora,” broke down mid-trip. The minister stated that the “Mandovi” ferry was implicated in the other event that happened on October 7, 2022. Along the Keri-Tiracol stretch, he said, the ferry came to a stop. According to Phal Dessai, there was not enough fuel for both instances.
