Goa Government Starts RoRo Ferry Service on Mandovi River

Goa launched India’s first RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) ferry service on the Mandovi River on July 14, 2025. The new ferries, named Gangotri and Dwarka, will make travel between Chorao Island and Ribandar faster and easier. This move will help daily commuters, boost tourism, and improve water transport in the state.

High-Speed Ferries for Better Travel

The new RoRo ferries are designed to carry both people and vehicles. Each ferry can take up to 100 passengers, 15 cars, and 30 to 40 two-wheelers. These ferries travel at a speed of 10 knots, which is twice as fast as the older boats. The time taken to travel from Chorao to Ribandar is now reduced from 30 minutes to just 12–13 minutes.

The ferries also include marked lanes for vehicles, air-conditioned seating areas, and emergency medical kits to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

Built with Modern Plans

The ferries were designed by Vijai Marine Shipyards and will run under the Built-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. This means the project was set up with zero cost to the state government. At the launch event, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant called this a big step forward for Goa’s water transport and said it would help both locals and tourists.

River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Desai also shared that the new service will reduce waiting times and interruptions, providing a smooth and quick ride for everyone.

Boost for Tourism and Local Travel

The RoRo project is expected to boost tourism by making travel more enjoyable and quicker. At the same time, local people will benefit from the faster commute. Since this is the first service of its kind in India, it sets an example for other coastal states to improve water travel.