Mumbai's Ro-Ro Services to Expand: 4 New Routes Expected to Launch in the Next 18 Months

After the success of the Ro-Ro service between Mumbai and Mandwa, four more services are expected to take off to Mora, Kashid, Dighi and Revas in the next 18 months. The announcement was made after a meeting between Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal on Tuesday.

Projects will be implemented under the Sagarmala Scheme
The projects are at various stages of bidding and will be implemented under the Sagarmala Scheme with joint funding from the Central and State Governments. Maharashtra Maritime Board CEO Amit Saini said, "After the good response to the Mumbai-Mandwa ro-ro service in September 2020, many operators came forward for such services."

Tenders for these four projects are at different stages. "We expect at least three of them to start in the next one-and-a-half years", he said. "The combined cost of the three services from Mumbai to Mora, Kashid and Dighi is around INR 200 crore."

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Maharashtra pavilion in Gujarat

The state government has requested the Centre to construct a Maharashtra pavilion at a cost of around INR 2,000 crore at the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat.

“We hope to display paintings related to the fleet of warships used during Shivaji Maharaj's time in this pavilion. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the state government will provide all possible help”, chief minister Eknath Shinde is quoted to have said.

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Reducing VAT on bunker fuel
State and central government officials also discussed reducing VAT on bunker fuel. Passenger boat service operators have demanded a reduction in VAT on bunker fuel. A demand for modernisation of passenger boats was also made on this occasion.

“This was a preliminary discussion and the boat owners have been directed to submit proposals for the upgradation of the vessels. It will be demanded by the government. A reduction in VAT on bunker fuel will help reduce the cost of these waterways services,” a ministry official said.