The water journey between Borivali and Gorai will soon become faster and easier.
Currently, this route takes one to one and a half hours, but with the new Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) jetty, the journey will be completed in just 15 minutes.
The foundation stone for this project was laid a few months ago, and now the jetty construction has gained momentum and the actual work has begun.
A large number of commuters travel between Borivali and Gorai for employment, daily commute, and tourism.
Ferries operate throughout the day, and with fares of only 10 to 15 rupees, it is an affordable option for tourists visiting Gorai beach.
However, the journey currently takes a considerable amount of time. To address this problem, the proposal for a Ro-Ro ferry was approved.
Once the jetty is operational, more space will be available for passengers and vehicles.
This will also boost local businesses and employment due to the expected increase in the number of tourists, said Rossi D'Souza, a member of the Gorai Gaothan Panchayat.
Meanwhile, some local residents have expressed concerns about the project. Panchayat member Royston Godinho highlighted the narrow and accident-prone roads in Gorai.
“Our main concern is how Gorai will actually benefit from this. The roads here are already very narrow.
A few days ago, two people died in an accident near the Gorai creek.
If the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is implementing the Ro-Ro project, then civic bodies like the BMC should consider widening the roads without disturbing the mangrove trees,” said Godinho.