Ferry service flourished in Gujarat centuries ago

AHMEDABAD: The ambitious Ghogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry service may still be in choppy waters. But, scientists and marine archeologists have found fresh evidence of a systematic coastal transportation and ferry service that existed in Gujarat centuries ago.
Maritime archaeological exploration around Navibandar, 35 km east of Porbandar, by Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), found remains of jetties and a well-paved road that was used to ferry goods and passengers across river Bhadar.Bhadar is the biggest and most important river of Saurashtra.
"Gujarat's maritime history finds place in several literature and history books. But material evidence to support this is very limited," said Sundaresh, principal technology officer who conducted the study along with AS Gaur and Sila Tripathi.
The study was titled "Ancient coastal transportation system along the Western Saurashtra coast: evidence from Navibandar."
The most interesting find was the evidence of the use of bullock carts, whose imprints have also been found on the road and near the jetty. "It was interesting to find that the stone-paved road stretched up to at least a km. Goods were loaded in bullock carts and brought to the jetty and then unloaded in boats to be ferried across the river," he added.
"Bullock-cart imprints were seen on the rocky surface for a long distance up to the coast. This shows how bullock carts played a major role in coastal transportation system till the early decades of the 20th century," he said.
They also found a 30 cm high wall at some places on both sides of the road, which indicates that it might have been erected to protect the road from flooding during high tide. NIO scientists also found the passenger jetty with steps constructed using huge stone bocks.
Ghogha-Dahej ferry service lingering since decades.