20 M VARANASI FERRY BUILT BY GOA SHIPYARD LTD E-FLAGGED OFF
VASCO: The flag-off ceremony of the River Cruise Ferry, built by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Vasco for Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) was held at GSL on Monday.
The ceremony was presided by Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar through video conference in the distinguished presence of GSL chairman and managing director Commodore B B Nagpal NM; Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area & Flag Officer Naval Aviation, Rear Admiral Philipose George Pynumootil; dignitaries from Ministry of Defence and UP government.
The contract for building this ferry was signed between the Goa Shipyard Limited and the UPRNN on 14th February 2019 under the “PRASAD scheme” of the Government of India. This ferry is planned to be deployed in River Ganga between Raj Ghat/ Ravidas Ghat and Assi Ghat at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The ferry has been indigenously designed at GSL and incorporates all design features and statutory requirement in line with Classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). It can carry 80 passengers in ergonomically designed cabin spaces located in lower deck and upper deck. It has been specially designed with low drafts to cater for the depth constraints in the river. While the hull is built from steel, the composite superstructure provides weight advantage and better corrosion resistance characteristics.
The ferry boat will transit via sea and river Ganges before reaching Varanasi on 25 December 2020. It will be prominent tourist attraction at Varanasi giving scenic and mesmerising view of the holy Ghats and Temples. .