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The Government of Goa, in partnership with the Directorate of Ports, Roads & Bridges and Panaji Municipal Council, inaugurated its first roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry service on the Mandovi River in mid-August 2025. Operating between the Ribandar ferry terminal on the mainland and the Divar Island jetty, the new vessel accommodates up to four cars, ten two-wheelers, and 150 foot passengers per crossing. With departure intervals of 45 minutes from dawn until dusk, the ferry reduces the overland journey between Panaji and Divar—previously a 40-kilometre round trip via bridges—by more than 30 kilometres and cuts travel time from approximately 90 minutes to 20 minutes.
Designed to support both commuter traffic and tourism, the RoRo ferry enhances access to Divar’s heritage precincts, churches, and rural homestays while alleviating congestion on existing road corridors. The vessel is powered by low-emission diesel engines compliant with the IMO Tier II standard and features energy-efficient lighting and passenger shelters. In conjunction with coordinated bus connections on either bank, the service aims to shift a portion of daily trips from private vehicles to waterborne transport, contributing to Goa’s sustainable-mobility objectives by reducing local air pollutants and carbon emissions.
Image Credit:
Panaji
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