Here is good news for the people who love travelling to Alibaug, Konkan and Goa. From April next year, you will be able to take your cars along with you in special ferries from Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka) in Mumbai upto Mandwa jetty which will cut your travelling time almost by three hours.
The service will be introduced from Ferry Wharf to Mandwa and Nerul in Navi Mumbai and is expected to lower the burden on roads and railways. Meanwhile, around 14 lakh people travel from Gateway of India to Mandwa in Raigad district every year.
The project — passenger service between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and the roll-on and roll-off facility for cars between Ferry Wharf and Mandwa — is being implemented by the Mumbai Port and Maharashtra Meritime Board and CIDCO.
Currently, the work is on at Ferry Wharf and Mandwa and the service will begin from April next year. However, Mumbai-Nerul operations would take some time. Around 1.6 hectares will be reclaimed around the existing Mandwa jetty. A special ferry or vessel can accommodate around 300 passenger cars and 100 trucks and tempos. It is said to save motorist time and is also environment-friendly option. The waterway is expected to improve the hinterland connectivity and boost tourism in the Alibaug and Konkan region.
Meanwhile, the fares for the services are yet to be decided but they are estimated to be around Rs 400 to Rs 500.
Ferry Wharf to Mandwa
Distance between Ferry Wharf and Mandwa: 10 nautical miles
Travel time by sea: 20 minutes
Distance between Mumbai and Alibaug: 93km
Travel time by road to reach Alibaug: 3 hours
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