Mumbai: The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has finally decided to operate and purchase RO-Pax vessel (an acronym for roll on/roll off passenger) and provide the Ro-Ro facility between wharf Mumbai and Mandwa. A tender for same will be floated soon, said Sanjay Bhatia, chairman of MbPT on Wednesday.
“The MbPT jointly with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) will contribute Rs 10 crore each to purchase Rs 40 crore Ro-Pax vessel. The MMB will run the ferry and the profits will be shared among the four,” informed Bhatia.
The decision has come after the Bombay High Court (HC) has given stay order on the Providential Shipping, the second bidder, who was refused by the MMB to sign a contract for their failure to acquire a vessel. Thereafter the MbPT called a third tender and the contract was awarded to Esquire Shipping. Due to on-going legal tussle since over a year, the state has now decided to purchase and operate the Ro-Ro services.
Another official from MbPT said, “The court is not giving any final decision and we are in a deadlock situation. Instead of waiting for a directive we have decided to take over the operations of the ferry service.” According to MbPT, approximately 14 lakh passengers travel each year from Gateway of India (Mumbai) to Mandwa (Raigad) using the existing passenger ferry service. With the rising demand, the MbPT desires to introduce a Ro-Pax service between Ferry Wharf and Mandwa. RO-Pax enables the passengers to travel along with their vehicles.
The RO-Pax vessel will have a carrying capacity of ten buses, 50 to 60 cars, and 200 passengers. Bhatia explained, “In future, once the Nerul jetty construction work is completed, the commuters can board the RO-Pax from there to reach the Navi Mumbai airport.
The same route will have airport connectivity.” mMbPT believes this facility will help both tourists as well as the local people by ensuring a faster and also third mode of transportation. It is also expected to improve the connectivity and boost tourist activities in Alibaug and Konkan region.
