RoRo ferry; are we taken for a ride?

Nikhil A. Jacob

I felt rather elated reading about the launch of RoRo ferry connecting Ghogha and Dhahej (Gujarat), thereby cutting short the travel time from a gruesome 8-hour ordeal to a one hour joyride. So much for the rising cost of fuel; much appreciated. 

However, as jubilant as I was, I couldn't help but get curious about the statement made through the advertisement on Herald (dated October 24) published by the GJ govt, claiming that, and I quote; " it is south Asia's first of its kind world class RoRo ferry service".

Grown up in Ribandar, I naturally dismissed the claim citing the fact that I’ve been seeing the Ribandar ferry and not to mention the Divar ferry since times immemorial. Reading reports on the 'wire' which ridiculed the honourable PM and GJ govt's claim, saying it stood no ground and was just publicity propaganda, further fuelled my curiosity, and I coaxed myself to do a background study.

Wikipedia says, RoRo: 'Roll on Roll off' ferry, is a vessel into which you can drive your vehicle in and out (walk yourself in and out, w.r.t. to phase 1 of the programme which provides only passenger transport), striking a difference from LoLo (Lift on, lift off) ferry which needs the vehicle (Hope not passengers) to be lifted in and out. 

In either of the cases, these vessels already did exist, RoRo since 1970's in Goa and LoLo is not our concern here until the launch of a 'first' in its kind. 

A strong counter argument may cite the terminology used in the debated phrase i.e. it states: first of its 'kind' and not first of a RoRo ferry as a whole, which may or may not be true and I leave it to the best choice of the people to pick sides, after all, everything boils down to what the people think, or what certain people want them to think, as Democracy is the people's mandate and the next LS polls is round the corner. 

A small phrase can be interpreted positively or negatively, based on each one’s mind set, albeit, the devil always is in the details.