Sea the Change: Maharashtra Floats Water Taxi Plan to Beat Mumbai Gridlock

Image Source: Autocar India

Mumbai is poised for a public transport revolution as the Maharashtra government announces plans to launch water taxi services within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The project, initiated by Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, will decongest the city's infamous roads by creating several sea routes and using environment-friendly boats. The decision is inspired by the success of the Mumbai Metro and is set to provide commuters with faster, cleaner, and cheaper modes of travel.

Vision and Objectives

The state government of Maharashtra aims to decongest Mumbai by launching water taxi services on eight to nine new identified sea routes in the MMR.
A detailed project report (DPR) has been conducted, and talks with global experts are in progress to put in place world-class standards.

New Routes and Services

Water taxis will run on routes from the Gateway of India to Alibaug and Elephanta Island, among others.
The service will include 30-seater electric boats, focusing on sustainability and less pollution.
Current wooden boats will also be in operation, providing commuters with an option akin to road transport aggregators.

Fleet and Technology

Maharashtra is ordering 15 electric boats from Swedish firm Candela Cruise, with the first two to reach in August.
The Maharashtra Maritime Board will operate the new services, with affordable fares and efficient operations.

Additional Connectivity: Ro-Ro Services

A roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) service will link Mazgaon in Mumbai and Malvan in Sindhudurg district, cutting travel time to four-and-a-half hours.
The initial Ro-Ro service will be rolled out during the Ganpati festival later this year.
New jetties are being built in Ratnagiri, Vijaydurg, and Malvan to facilitate these services.

Environmental and Commuter Benefits

The electric boats will considerably reduce pollution and provide a quieter, smoother experience.
By offering a valid alternative to travelling by road, the plan expects to curb traffic congestion and commuting time for daily commuters and visitors alike.

Future Development

The government has been contemplating wider development of water transport in the future, including plans to put thousands of water taxis to bridge Mumbai suburbs and the soon-to-be-established Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The project aligns with broader efforts to integrate waterways into Mumbai’s public transport ecosystem, inspired by successful ferry services like the Bhaucha Dhakka–Mandwa route.

Sources: Upstox Business News, Business Standard, NewsDrum, Devdiscourse