The Maharashtra government has decided to launch Water Taxi services from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. This is expected to reduce traffic congestion as well as curb pollution.
Travelling through these cities would take more than an hour by road through the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). However, the water taxis would help reach the destination within an estimated time of 40 minutes. According to officials, it will be operated between the Radio Club Jetty in Colaba (to be developed soon) and Navi Mumbai Airport.
Proposal for water taxi services
In a meeting headed by Nitesh Rane, the Minister for Ports Development and Fisheries, the decision to launch water taxis was taken. Officials were instructed to initiate planning for the water taxi services and are expected to come up with proposals for building jetties at the required locations soon. Sanjay Sethi, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation Department was also present at the meeting.
The meeting emphasised the terminals be constructed in phases for the water taxi. Furthermore, officials were also directed by the minister to prepare a formal proposal to initiate the approval process from the airport authorities for the construction of the jetty and terminal.
Reducing traffic congestion
According to an NDTV report, the minister mentioned the primary objective of the water taxi services is to reduce congestion on the road, ultimately saving time and fuel.
"We also plan to integrate the water taxi service with the Mumbai Water Metro, which will help people commute faster between Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). It will significantly reduce travel time, decongest traffic, and be environmentally friendly," the minister said. “The water taxi service will not only enhance connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai but also save travel time and fuel,” Rane added.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the necessity for intermodal transport connectivity to the Navi Mumbai airport. The focus is to link the new airport by road, rail, metro and water transport to enhance accessibility.
