Bhubaneswar: With an aim to provide economic and better transport facilities for people and traders, the State Government has all set to start Ro-Pax vessel operation for transportation of passengers, tourists and cargo on National Waterway No.5.
Ro-Pax vessel M.V. Bhupen Hazarika will start running on river Dhamara between Dhamara under Chandabali Tahasil of Bhadrak district to Talachua under Rajnagar Tahasil of Kendrapada district under National Waterway No.5 soon, officials in the State Transport and Commerce Department said.
The Department has invited tender from concerned agencies for Operation, Maintenance and Management of Ro-Pax vessel M.V. Bhupen Hazarika on the route, the official said.
Inland Water Transport (IWT) is an important, alternative economic, fuel efficient and environment friendly mode of transport. Odisha has an extensive network of rivers, lakes, canals, breakwaters, and creeks.
An optimal mix of road, rail and inland water transport will provide an efficient transport infrastructure with mobility, flexibility and cost effectiveness.
Passenger Launch Service is being provided by Directorate of Ports and Inland Water Transport under Commerce & Transport Department in the inaccessible areas of the State, they said.
For providing better transport facilities, the State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Inland Waterways Authorities of India (IWAI), Government of India for operation & management of Ro-Ro Vessel i.e., M.V. Bhupen Hazarika.
The specially designed vessel will carry 8 trucks along with 100 passengers at a time. It has been proposed to ply the vessel at present from Dhamara to Talchua and vice-versa, the officials said.
This operation will facilitate both side of the people for easy transportation of their vehicles from Dhamara to Talchua (7 Kms) instead of travelling a distance of 200 kms by road transport with safe, economical and eco-friendly journey as well as generate indirect employment facilities to the local people.
The selected agency will operate the Ro-Pax vessel for transportation of passengers, tourists and cargo following prevailing rules and regulations of the Government of Odisha, Inland Vessels Act, 2021 or any other Acts & Rules of Government of Odisha & Government of India, they informed.