Faced hostility from Centre as Gujarat CM: PM Modi at RO-RO ferry service launch

This is PM Modi's third visit to the state in a month, where assembly elections will be held soon.

Addressing the public gathering at Ghogha after inaugurating the ferry service between Ghogha and Dahej, Modi said: "When I was serving as CM, I faced hostility from the then Central Government. Efforts were made to stall industries and the state's growth. Over the last three years we have changed that and given importance to the development of Gujarat."

Speaking on the ferry service, which shall reduce the travel time between Ghogha in Saurashtra, and Dahej in South Gujarat, from about seven or eight hours, to just over an hour, the PM said: "This programme may be for a ferry between Ghogha and Dahej but this programme is of vital importance for the entire nation."

"Ferry service is a first of sorts. Its a dream come true for people of Gujarat. I am also here with regard to a project in dairy sector, a sector to which we have given immense importance over the last two decades. I urge people to explore opportunities in animal husbandry," said Modi.

Modi said the history of human civilisation illustrates the vitality of rivers and maritime trade.

"Gujarat is the land of Lothal. How can we forget these aspects of our history. This programme is to bring back to life our glorious past, connect Saurashtra & South Gujarat," said he.

Speaking on the benefits of the ferry service, he said: "Imagine how much time and petrol this ferry service will save. This ferry service connects Saurashtra and South Gujarat...people from these regions frequently travel to and fro."

"Gujarat is blessed with a long coastline and we should harness opportunities arising due to this. We took steps in developing coastal infrastructure," said the PM.

Modi said this ferry service will not be restricted to this one route.

"We are planning to link other places also through ferries," he assured the people at the gathering.

"Sadly, our transport sector was not integrated enough. We have changed that in the last three years. The goal is to make our transport sector integrated and state of the art," said Modi.

From Dahej, Modi will travel to Vadodara.

At a public meeting there, he will dedicate to the nation, the Vadodara City Command Control Centre; the Waghodiya Regional Water Supply Scheme; and the New Head Office Building of the Bank of Baroda, at Vadodara.

The Prime Minister will hand over keys of houses to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban, as well as Rural).

He will lay the Foundation Stones of several infrastructure and development projects, including an integrated transport hub, regional water supply schemes, housing projects, and a flyover.

He will also lay the foundation stone for the capacity expansion of the Mundra-Delhi petroleum product pipeline, and a greenfield marketing terminal project of HPCL, at Vadodara.