Vasco, Nov 24 (UNI) The Flag off ceremony of the River Cruise Ferry, built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN), was held on Monday at GSL here.
The ceremony was presided by Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar through video conference in the distinguished presence of Cmde B BNagpal NM, Chairman and Managing Director, RAdmPhilipose George Pynumootil, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area and Flag Officer Naval Aviation, dignitaries from Ministry of Defence (MOD) and UP Government.
The contract for building the Ferry was signed between Goa Shipyard and UPRNN on February 14, 2019, under the “PRASAD scheme” of the Government of India. The Ferry is planned to be deployed in River Ganga between Raj Ghat or 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 December 25, 2020. It will be prominent tourist attraction at Varanasi giving scenic and mesmerizing view of the holy Ghats and temples, a statement from GSL said.
UNI AKM 1136 .