Mumbai is finally getting water taxis, after 3 decades of planning
Mumbai is the city that thrives by and on the sea. Every one who visits Mumbai has to visit the Gateway of India and no one can dare to miss the breezy drive by Marine Drive. Being the populated financial capital of the country, not many can afford to spend a large time travelling in traffic. Mumbaikars have historically been using roads and railways to reach Navi Mumbai, which is an extension of Mumbai. With increasing population and traffic hours on the rise, there was a need to optimise the existing possibilities to drastically reduce travel time.
Thus, say hello to water taxis, which will reduce travel time from 2-3 hours to 45 mins. The initiative was planned three decades ago but is finally getting started in January 2022. Consider this a New Year gift for Mumbaikars.
There have always been launches and speed boats on the sea connecting parts of Mumbai suburbs. But to extend this service as a part of Centre’s inland waterways initiative, many local entities pitched in to work together, to finally launch a new and wider network of water taxis.
HOW THIS CAME THROUGH
Nitin Gadkari started this project when he was the Shipping Minister, and the Mumbai Port Trust was responsible for constructing the domestic terminal. CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra) started building terminals at Navi Mumbai as the Maharashtra Maritime Board created the routes.
WHO WILL OPERATE THIS?
The Mumbai Port Trust, Maharashtra Maritime Board and CIDCO have come together for this project. The license to operate the service has been handed over to two private companies — Infinity Harbour Services LLP, West Coast Marine and another organisation of wooden boat owners at Gateway of India.
ROUTES
From the Domestic Cruise Terminal in Mazgaon to Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Airoli, Rewas (near Alibaug), JNPT, Karanjade, and from International Cruise Terminal in Mazgaon to Elephanta Caves. The entities have planned routes such as International Cruise Terminal to Elephanta, Domestic Cruise Terminal (DCT) to Rewas, Karanjade, Dharamtar, DCT to Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Airoli, Khanderi Islands and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), to various operators.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ACCOMMODATED
Infinity Harbour Services will have a fleet of four boats — a 50-seater, a 40-seater, a 32-seater, and a 14-seater; whereas West Coast Marine will have two 12-seaters and a 20-seater.
TIMING
The water taxis will run on all weekdays between 8 am and 8 pm. They will operate thrice a day, with boats plying in the morning, evening and afternoon. The frequency will change based on demand. The water taxi takes 15 minutes to travel between Mumbai to Elephanta and Mumbai to JNPT. The journey between Mumbai and Belapur, Nerul, Vashi and Rewas takes about 25-30 minutes.
COST
The per-passenger fare from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai is expected to be between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200, while that to JNPT and Elephanta is likely to be Rs 750. Currently the fares are high on account of a few luxury commercial boats that are available for the trip. As newer boats with efficient designs and engines make more trips, the rates are bound to come down.
Even though the initial pricing may seem steep for many, it is good to witness something come into existence that should have been here long back. What do you think?