THANE :
RoPax service from Bhaucha Dhakka, Mumbai (MbPT) to Mandwa, Alibag (MMB), a ‘Water Transport Service Project’, under Eastern Waterfront Development, will make the journey shorter. Mumbai Port Trust chairman Sanjay Bhatia on Saturday said road distance from Mumbai to Mandwa is about 110 kilometers, whereas by waterway, it is about 18 kilometer.
He said about 15 lakhs passengers commute annually by catamarans and launches from Gateway of India to Mandwa. Mumbai Port Trust and Maharashtra Maritime Board recognised the importance of this waterway, and with Government support decided to start RoPax service from Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf), i.e. Mumbai to Mandwa.
Thus, people can now travel in their cars directly on to ROPAX vessel. Mumbai Port Trust has developed RoPax jetty and terminal facilities at Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) at the cost of Rupees 31 Crores. Maharashtra Maritime Board has developed Breakwater, ROPAX jetty and terminal facilities at Mandwa at the cost of Rupees 135 Crores he said.
ROPAX Vessel M2M -1 was built in Greece in September 2019. It can carry 200 cars and 1000 passengers at a time and has a ramp on both sides, hence cars can move in and out of the vessel easily and reduce the turn- around time. The vessel is capable of operating even in Monsoon season, which is a big boon to commuters from Alibag area.
ROPAX service will help in reducing road traffic from Mumbai to Alibag/Goa to a certain extent, as travelers will certainly prefer a peaceful and novel journey. This will also reduce fuel consumption and vehicular emission, a step in reducing Carbon Footprint.
Here are some benefits
- Major Boost to water transportation
- Ease of travel
- Comfortable for citizens
- Cost-effective
- Boost to Industries & Tourism in Raigad
