Water Taxis Allowed For Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai On These 12 Imp Routes (Dates, Fares, USPs)

To promote eco-friendly waterways transportation and reduce the traffic load on Mumbai’s roads, four new routes for roll-on/roll-off passenger ferries (ROPAX ferry) and 12 new water taxi routes are planned by December 2021, according to a release.

“After successful operation of Mandawa RoPax service that reduced the journey time between Mumbai and Mandawa from three hours to 45 minutes, we are going to operate RoPax service on four more routes by December 2021,” ports, shipping and waterways minister Mandaviya told PTI.

Eco-Friendly Waterways Transportation 

According to the statement, on Wednesday (In-Charge) for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a meeting to review the Urban Water Transportation projects for Mumbai, Maharashtra on the subject. 

The meeting was attended by senior Ministry officials, the Chairperson of Mumbai Port, officials from the Maharashtra Maritime Board, and other stakeholders.

Water taxis will begin operating in and around Mumbai in May, according to PTI, in a significant boost to the public transportation system.

A roll-on roll-off (RoRo) cum passenger ferry service between Mumbai and Mandwa near Alibaug was launched last year. The water transport, known as RoPax, carried one lakh passengers and 20,000 vehicles in 20 weeks.

Currently, a ROPAX service runs from Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) to Mandwa (Alibag), reducing the 110-kilometre road journey to around 18 kilometres and reducing regular commuter travel time from 3-4 hours to just one hour.

According to the press release, the opening of four new ROPAX ferries routes and 12 new water taxi routes would be a huge help to Mumbai’s regular commuters.

It will result in a pollution-free, peaceful and time-saving journey as well as reduce the travel cost and carbon footprint significantly. It would attract many tourists and commuters at various stretches of Mumbai city.

Details Of New Ropax Routes

By December 2021, RoPax services will be available on four more routes: Mumbai-Nerul, Mumbai-Karanja, Mumbai-Mora, and Mumbai-Rewas, according to the minister.

Water taxi services will also be launched on 12 routes, including from Mumbai’s Domestic Cruise Terminal to Nerul, Belapur, Vashi, Airoli, Rewas, Karanja, Dharanmtar, Kanhoji Angre Island, and Thane, according to him.

The opening of four new ROPAX Ferries routes and 12 new Water taxi routes would be a huge help to Mumbai’s everyday commuters.