Navi Mumbai: The much-loved Floatel and Cruise service operating from Belapur Jetty has been abruptly suspended, with no clear timeline for resumption. The suspension, which has caused disappointment among both tourists and local businesses, is reportedly due to a delay in receiving necessary permissions from the Maharashtra Maritime Board.
The cruise, which had been enhancing the tourism profile of Navi Mumbai’s coastline for the past three years, was last operational on July 6. According to Rajesh Nair, the cruise owner, the application for licence renewal was submitted well in advance two months prior but there has been no communication or update from the authorities.
"The cruise is currently docked at the jetty and will remain so until the required permissions are granted," said Nair.
Sources suggest that internal delays within the Maharashtra Maritime Board are stalling the approval process, sparking concerns over the administrative bottleneck and its impact on local tourism.
The sudden halt has left tourists disappointed and local vendors worried about the loss of business. Stakeholders are now urging the Maharashtra Maritime Board to fast-track the clearance process and allow the service to resume at the earliest.
