• Our focus is on the blue economy. We see the blue economy as integral to our vision of a new India: PM Modi
•  Without proper connectivity, the economic development of a nation slows down. Keeping this in mind we are focusing on ports infrastructure: PM Modi
• Our vision is ports for prosperity. India needs better ports and more ports: PM Modi
• Imagine how much time and petrol this ferry service will save. This ferry service connects Saurashtra and South Gujarat…people from these regions frequently travel to and fro: PM Modi
• Gujarat is blessed with a long coastline and we should harness opportunities arising due to this. We took steps in developing coastal infrastructure: PM Modi
• The history of human civilisation illustrates the vitality of rivers and maritime trade. Gujarat is the land of Lothal. How can we forget these aspects of our history. This programme is to bring back to life our glorious past, connect Saurashtra & South Gujarat: PM Modi
• Ferry service is a first of sorts. Its a dream come true for people of Gujarat. I am also here with regard to a project in dairy sector, a sector to which we have given immense importance over the last two decades. I urge people to explore opportunities in animal husbandry: PM Modi
• I am happy to be in Gujarat to personally convey new year greetings. This programme may be for a ferry between Ghogha and Dahej but this programme is of vital importance for the entire nation: PM Modi

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ahmedabad, his third visit to the poll-bound state, to inaugurate the first phase of the the Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry service between Saurashtra and the South Gujarat region.

He flew down to Saurashtra’s Bhavnagar district where inaugurated the Rs 615 crore, 31km “roll-on, roll-off” (Ro-Ro) ferry service between Ghogha in Bhavnagar and Dahej in Bharuch district across the Gulf of Khambhat.

He is expected to travel aboard the Ro-Ro ferry accompanied by schoolchildren after the ceremony.

The idea of the ferry service was first conceived in early 1960s. The foundation stone for current works was laid by Modi in 2012 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

When operational, the service is expected to reduce the travel distance between Saurashtra, locate in the western region of the state and South Gujarat by 360 km, saving time and money for people frequently travelling between the two regions.

The facility will also reduce travel time by at least five hours.

Many working in the diamond cutting and polishing hub of Surat in South Gujarat belong to the Saurashtra region and the service is expected to come as a boon for them.

In the first phase, only passenger services would begin, while after the completion of the second phase, light vehicles can also be carried aboard the ferries.

Official sources claim that the second phase will be commissioned by the end of January 2018.

In the final phase, the ferries would also have facility to carry trucks between the two regions.

After his arrival at Dahej, Modi will travel to Vadodara to address a public rally at the sprawling Navlakhi Grounds.

He is slated to lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects worth Rs 1,140 crore in Vadodara before taking out a 14km road show to the Vadodara airport, and then fly off to New Delhi.

(With inputs from IANS)