Mumbai:

Among those in attendance were Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport and Ports Department Sanjay Sethi, Navi Mumbai Airport representative Brijesh Singhal, and Maharashtra Maritime Board’s Pradeep Badiye. The proposed service aims to slash travel time between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to just 40 minutes, a drastic improvement over the hours many currently spend battling the city’s infamous traffic snarls.

In a bold move to ease the pressure on Mumbai’s choked roads and promote greener travel, the Maharashtra government is fast-tracking plans for a new water taxi service that will connect the iconic Gateway of India to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The ambitious project gained momentum following a high-level meeting at Mantralaya on Monday. Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane chaired the session, urging officials to draw up detailed blueprints and identify key locations for constructing passenger jetties. Broader vision to bolster Mumbai’s water transport infrastructure

This latest initiative is part of a broader vision to bolster the water transport infrastructure across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With roads reaching saturation point, the government sees water-based travel as a viable and scenic alternative that offers speed and comfort.

Electric water taxis in Mumbai; more than just time-saving solution

But this is more than just a time-saving solution. The water taxis will be electric-powered, aligning with wider efforts to make urban mobility more sustainable. Authorities hope the initiative will set a benchmark for environmentally friendly transport alternatives in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.

Terminal development will be carried out in phases, with the Navi Mumbai Airport Authority responsible for preparing proposals and securing the necessary clearances. Alongside passenger transport, the state government is also looking to earmark strategic sites for future cargo jetties, hinting at a more comprehensive, water-based logistics network.

Read More:

Delhi prepares for first artificial rain to fight pollution