The financial capital of India, Mumbai, is soon expected to see a new mode of transportation – water taxi and ferry services. The move is part of the government’s plans to promote eco-friendly water-based transportation and reduce traffic on Mumbai’s overburdened road infrastructure.
The plan for the new waterways came as a result of a meeting that was chaired by the Minister of State (I/C) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mansukh Mandaviya, to review the Urban Water Transportation projects for Mumbai, Maharashtra. The plan includes a new route for ROPAX (roll-on/roll-off passenger) ferry services and 11 new water taxi routes that will be operational by December 2021.
- Greater Mumbai region to have six ferry terminals and four routes by December 2021
- To get a total of 12 water taxi routes, including seven new locations
At present, the ROPAX ferry service from Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) to Mandwa (Alibag) is said to have reduced travel time by about 2-3 hours, as the 110km road journey is now an 18km waterway. The government hopes to reap similar benefits with an expansion in services, which are listed below:
| Mumbai ROPAX ferry services from December 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Destination | Waterway | Road |
| ROPAX Terminal (Ferry warf) | Nerul (CIDCO) | 24km (1hr) | 34km (1hr 15min) |
| ROPAX Terminal (Ferry warf) | Kashid (MMB) | 60km (2 hrs) | 134km (3hrs 30min) |
| ROPAX Terminal (Ferry warf) | Mora (MMB) | 10km (30min) | 60km (1hr 30min) |
| Karanja | Rewas (MMB) | 3km (15min) | 70km (1 hour 30min) |
| Mumbai water taxi services from December 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Destination | Waterway | Road |
| Domestic Cruise Terminal (DCT) | Nerul | 19km (40min) | 34km (1hr 15min) |
| DCT | Belapur | 20km (45min) | 40km (1hr) |
| DCT | Vashi | 23km (40min) | 28km (40min) |
| DCT | Airoli | 34min (1hr 15min) | 34km (1hr 15min) |
| DCT | Rewas | 18km (1hr 15min) | 110km (2hr 45min) |
| DCT | Karanja | 18km (1hr 15min) | 70km (2hrs) |
| DCT | Dharamtar | 40km (1hr 30min) | 83km (2hr 15min) |
| DCT | Kanhoji Angre Island | 19km (40min) | - |
| Belapur | Thane | 25km (20min) | 25km (1hr) |
| Belapur | Gateway of India | 23km (20min) | 38km (1hr 20min) |
| Vashi | Thane | 12km (15min) | 20km (40min) |
| Vashi | Gateway of India | 25km (20min) | 28km (1hr 15min) |
The government believes that opening up of the new ferry and water taxi routes will provide a big relief for daily commuters in Mumbai. They say it will result in a pollution-free, peaceful and time-saving journey and reduce travel costs and carbon footprints, significantly. The government also claims that the waterways would cater to the requirements of an increasing number of tourists.
Mansukh Mandaviya stated that operationalisation of new waterways routes is a big step towards the Central government’s vision of harnessing waterways and integrating them with the economic development of the country. He said that it will open up new opportunities and avenues to create an ecosystem and network of such ROPAX and Water Taxi services in all coastal states.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
