MMB to have jetties at Borivali

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has floated Expression of Interest (EoI) for developing passenger ferry services between NCPA at Nariman Point and Borivali. Earlier there were plans for developing ferry services with stoppages at locations like Bandra, Versova, Marve, Juhu and in the following phase to link South Mumbai and the western suburbs. However, the rough seas on the western seaboard which affected operations, the proposed coastal road between South Mumbai and Kandivali and the likely low rate of return, led to second thoughts on the already-delayed project.

“The MMB is planning to develop the proposed jetties near NCPA at Nariman Point and at Borivali. Regardless of the fate of the water transport project, these jetties can be used for purposes such as decongesting the anchorage at the Gateway of India and New Ferry Wharf, tourism, cruises, water sports and seaplanes. The jetties can be used for launching ferry services to other locations, including Goa and the Konkan,” said a senior MMB official.

This will also decrease the MMB’s dependence on the jetties at the Gateway of India and the New Ferry Wharf, which are under the control of the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT).

“The two jetties can be developed on a standalone basis. The NCPA jetty can be used for water transport operations across Maharashtra’s coastline while the jetty at Borivali, the site for which is located in the creek, can be used across the year due to the sheltered waters which makes it ideal for tourism purposes… the process is underway and instructions have been given to examine the viability,” he added.

The potential of the water-transport sector in Mumbai and on Maharashtra’s 720km coastline remains under-utilized. Conceptualizedalmost a decade ago, the west coast water transport project has been overtaken by subsequent infrastructure addition plans including the coastal road.