MMB gives a push to passenger water transport project

The passenger water transport project on the eastern coast of Mumbai has sailed a bit more with the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) calling for expression of interest from private players to have operators for passenger ferries and Roll-On Roll-Off vessels.

The project, aimed at linking Ferry Wharf-Mandwa (10 nautical miles) and Ferry Wharf-Nerul (11 nautical miles), will have vessels of various designs. The Ro-Pax (vehicles and passengers) vessels will have a minimum capacity to transport 40 Passenger Car Units and 300 passengers, while fast passenger ferries are expected to accommodate 250 people.

"Some of the project components are ticketing, online booking, maintenance of channel through dredging, provision of food, and embarking and disembarking facilities," said an official.

As per the plan, Ferry Wharf-Mandwa will have Ro-Pax vessel services, while Ferry Wharf-Nerul will have passenger-only vessels.

The maximum one-way travel time is estimated at 25 minutes with a ferry available every 15 to 30 minutes depending on demand. At Mandwa, there will be space to park 130 cars at a time.

Annually, around 10 lakh people travel between Gateway of India and Mandwa via ferries. A majority of people prefer road transport from Mumbai to Alibaug, which is around 100km and three hours away.

The project is being jointly implemented by the MMB, Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and City Industrial and Development Corporation (Cidco) — the terminal at Ferry Wharf will be constructed by the MbPT, and at Nerul and Mandwa by Cidco. The MMB being a nodal agency will operate the vessel services.

These agencies are estimated to spend Rs150 crore each for the project to improve connectivity with Navi Mumbai and Alibaug, and make it easier for those travelling towards Konkan and Goa.

"Whichever operator is finalised, the private player will be given the right for a period of seven years," said an MMB official.

On Monday, the cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had given nod to the eastern coast water transport project. Earlier, the project was with Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and awaiting nod from the same committee after tender process got completed. Concern over MSRDC's critical financial condition resulted in the project not taking off.