Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced recently that the Ministry of Shipping is going to be expanded and renamed as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The announcement was made at the launch of a Ro-Pax ferry service between Hazira in Surat and Ghogha in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.
The ferry service aims to reduce the 370-km road distance between the two places to 90-km by sea route.
The service will also reduce the travel time between the two locations to about four hours from 10 to 12 hours.
Modi said the efforts are being made to ensure that the sea area rises to be an important achievement of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).
Since the ministry manages a lot of work related to ports and waterways as well, the new name is justified for the shipping ministry, said Modi.
By Sahana Iyer
