Water Taxis Now Offer Twin Cities Of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai With Quick Commuting Services

The Mumbai water taxi services that promise to offer connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai was inaugurated on Thursday, February 17, by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, amongst others.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray presided over the function in Belapur virtually while inaugurating the newly built Belapur jetty. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also flagged the water taxi services virtually.

The Mumbai Port Trust, Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and CIDCO had come together to work on the said project. According to reports, activity on the Belapur Jetty commenced in January 2019 and was completed by September 2021 at an expenditure of INR 8.37 crore.

In view of general citizenry’s use, Mumbai Port Authority has set up a Water Taxi Service

It will be inaugurated virtually by Union Minister @sarbanandsonwal today at 12 noon

CM Shri Udhav Thackeray will preside over the function at Belapur

Watch LIVE📽️ https://t.co/jGHm3PT8Gk pic.twitter.com/VJJ1QBsle7

— PIB in Maharashtra 🇮🇳 (@PIBMumbai) February 17, 2022

Equipped with a parking area for 75 cars and 85 two-wheelers, an official was quoted by reports elaborating on how three water taxi routes have been finalised to commence the water taxi services.

These will be between the Domestic Cruise Terminal at Ferry Wharf Mazgaon in south Mumbai and the terminals at Belapur, in Navi Mumbai, Belapur and Elephanta Caves, and Belapur and JNPT.

Based on accounts, a Maharashtra Maritime Board official elucidated on how four operators will be running the operations wherein speed boats for water taxis will be used. On the other hand, catamarans for mass transportation will be utilized.

Similarly, the water taxi operations will begin with eight boats that entail seven speedboats having a capacity of 10 – 30 passengers each, with the catamaran will have a capacity of 56.

According to reports, one operator is charging INR 290 between DCT and Belapur through catamaran. Meanwhile, there will be a monthly pass of INR 12,000 for the same route.

The catamarans are anticipated to reach their destination in 40 - 50 minutes and these water services will curtail the travel time to 45 minutes from the earlier 1.5 hours.

Also Read: Union Minister Says Mumbai’s Waterways Will Get More RoPax Ferries And Water Taxis