The country’s first of its kind full-fledged water transportation system became a reality on Thursday, as Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray jointly inaugurated the much-awaited “water taxi” service linking Mumbai coast with mainland at Navi Mumbai and other locations.
For the first time, the water taxi connects the twin cities of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai by way of fast and reliable commuting service. It connects south Mumbai with the nearby locations like Nerul, Belapur, Elephanta Island and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
Apart from providing an alternative mode of transportation for Mumbaikars and those living in the satellite towns of the metropolis, the water taxi service gives the comfort and pleasure of water journey for the users. The commuters will save on time and stress caused by road congestion. The water-taxi also promotes eco-friendly transport.
While Sonowal participated in the water-taxi inaugural function through video-conferencing, the chief minister inaugurated the Belapur Jetty at the same function. The Belapur Jetty has been developed under the Sagarmala Programme at a project cost of Rs 8.37 crore with equal funding by the Government of India and the Maharashtra state government.
Expressing gratitude to the Centre for prioritising the country’s first Water Taxi here, Uddhav said that the new service would will go a long way in improving connectivity with Mumbai along with the network of roads, flyovers, subways, the upcoming Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and other mega-infrastructure projects.
“The country’s first railway was started by the British between Mumbai-Thane and quickly spread all over India… The city always sets a trend that is emulated by the rest of the country, after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ruled over the seas,” said Thackeray.
The new Water Taxi will not only benefit the people travel quickly – from the present 90-100 minutes by road to barely 40-45 minutes by the sea – but also give a fillip to tourist places like Elephanta Island, Kanhoji Angre Isle and other places on the mainland in the Konkan besides spurring the local economy as more routes will be added in the near future.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said: "Today is an important day for all of us, particularly for the state of Maharashtra. With the support of the people of Maharashtra, we could complete the construction of Belapur Jetty. For this, I express my deep regards to the people and Government of Maharashtra".
"Through Sagarmala, Navi Mumbai is getting a state-of-the-art jetty at Belapur,” the minister said. This project implemented by the Maharashtra Maritime Board has been completed timely despite constraints of COVID-19.
Sonowal said that the water taxi services between Belapur Jetty and domestic Cruise Terminal at Mumbai Port would reduce travel time between Navi Mumbai and South Mumbai from around 1.5 hours to less than 30 minutes.
“This service will ease road traffic congestion and also encourage use of Mumbai Harbour for transportation. Additional jetties for water taxi and Ro-Pax ferries will be started depending on response to water taxi service,” the minister said.
The minister said that many more jetties are being planned along Mumbai Harbour for both catamaran and Ro-Pax services.
"The existing Ro-Pax service from Mumbai to Alibag is already providing a huge respite for travellers". ROPAX movement between Mumbai Ferry Wharf and Mandwa has resulted in a positive impact with a reduction in travel time for passengers, quick and agile loading and unloading process of vehicles,” he said.
Sonowal said that many projects under the Sagarmala Project, including passenger jetties, coastal infrastructure development, skill development, Ro-Ro service etc. were being implemented in Maharashtra. " As many as 131 projects worth Rs 1.05 lakh crores have been identified for implementation in Maharashtra, by central & state agencies,” he stated.
Out of these 131 projects, 46 projects worth Rs. 2,078 crores are financially supported under the Sagarmala programme of the Government of India, the minister added.
Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Ports Minister Aslam Shaikh, MoS Ports Abdul Sattar, Mumbai Port Trust Chairman Rajiv Jalota, Maharashtra Maritime Board CEO Amit Saini and Thane Collector Rajesh Narvekar were among those present at the water Taxi-Belapiur Jetty inaugural function.