India's Essar Bulk Terminal Ltd (EBTL) said it has completed work on the Passenger Ferry Terminal that has paved the way for a cruise-based passenger ferry service, commencing 15 November 2019, between Hazira Port in Surat and Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai.

The Essar Ports company said in a press note that Hazira-based terminal will also lead to ferry services being offered on other routes in the future, revolutionizing coastal transportation in India.

Phase I of the terminal project will focus on the movement of passengers between Hazira in Surat to India’s financial capital, Mumbai.

While the service is a significant addition to air-, road-, and rail-based connectivity between Surat and Mumbai, the plan is to extend it to other coastal locations in Gujarat, thus reducing road congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution.

The Hazira Passenger Ferry Terminal is the third terminal of its kind to be built by an Essar company.

“We feel privileged to be able to contribute to the Ro-Ro ferry project in Gujarat, which has set a worthy precedent for the rest of the country. It has given shape to our honorable Prime Minister’s vision of Sagarmala, which envisages efficient cargo and passenger movement through the coastal route, ” said Rajiv Agarwal, MD & CEO, Essar Ports.

Agarwal added: "Though we are a commercial port operator, we were keen to build this passenger terminal project in the spirit of giving back to the larger community. The ferry service will be a huge boost to tourism in Gujarat. We look forward to contributing to similar projects that will help unleash the tremendous potential of coastal transport in India by using the country’s extensive network of inland waterways.” said Mr Rajiv Agarwal, MD & CEO, Essar Ports.

Essar Ports is one of India’s largest private sector port and terminal developers and operators.