Mumbai: sea cab pushes state bodies to get going on their own ferry service

There are at least three different types of boats that the government is looking at operating in Mumbai. Now that Uber is starting it sea cab service, the state government seems to be taking

water transport with a little more gravity. Boat services are being planned from Thane and Navi Mumbai to the Gateway and Bhaucha Dhakka. On Wednesday, the Mumbai Port Trust and Maharashtra

Maritime Board said there would be ferry service for various routes. There are at least three different types of boats that the government is looking at operating in Mumbai. These are

speedboats, hovercrafts and ro-pax — which is a vessel with large ro-ro decks and limited passenger facilities).  The ro-pax can ferry 100 cars and 300 passengers at a time.  “There are at

least seven routes, other than the land route, which can be used to ferry people and cars,” said Vikram Kumar, CEO, Maharashtra Maritime Board. Some of these routes include Borivali-Gorai,

Manori-Mandwa, Bhayandar-Uttan and so on.  To complement the service, jetties at Bhaucha Dhakka and the road leading to them are being upgraded.  From here, ferries will operate to places

like Thane and Navi Mumbai.  “We are looking at turning Mumbai into a tourism and transport hub. Jetties are being readied for the same,” said Sanjay Bhatia, chairman, Mumbai Port Trust. 

Plans are already afoot to connect Navi Mumbai airport as well. The airport has an opening on the waterfront which will give access to people who want a quick commute till south Mumbai.