In what could be a major revamp to the entire traffic system of Mumbai, the Maharashta Maritime Board, a concern of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has invited tenders for a Ferry Taxi Service (if that’s what we can call it) between the Nariman Point – Bandra – Versova – Marve and Borivali band.

BENEFITS TO THE MUMBAIKAR

These are the major points of travel for daily commuters in Mumbai city and covers the entire western coastal line of this bustling city. It would be a good alternative to the Mumbaikar instead of the overburdened and traffic-jammed local trains that ply Mumbai.

TROUBLE IN SMOOTH WATERS

The tender bidding process for this BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) project was completed nearly five months ago and the final contract should have been awarded four months back.

Also a participation from the private companies is lacking.

THE PROPOSAL

What we could be looking at is the possible use of nine twin-deck, double-hull catamarans, each carrying 250 passengers, to provide a ferry every 15 minutes between Nariman Point, Versova, Marve (Malad) and Borivali.

A ferry would cost only Rs 50 per passenger between Nariman Point and Bandra and the high-speed catamaran would take only 20 minutes for this 100 per cent pollution-free, enjoyable sea-ride, compared to the nearly one-and-a-half hour long, highly polluted travel by road, costing Rs 120 for fuel in a private car or Rs 150 in a cab.

A plan on similar lines has been employed successfully launched – a 100-km long, two-hour sea ferry service in Florida, between Miami and Key West, USA; started 12-years ago and currently running successfully.

ONLY HOPE NOW

Team Giira hopes that we see these sea-taxis running on our coast as soon as we could, not only for the benefit for the Mumbaikar but also that it is another brownie point in Mumbai’s myriad facilities and services.

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