Palghar district’s first Ro-Ro ferry service between Vasai and Bhayander, covering 1.89 nautical miles or 3.50 kms, commenced on a pilot basis for passengers and vehicles on Tuesday. While the waterway service is expected to boost tourism in the two cities, with motorists in the Vasai-Bhayander belt likely to save around 50 minutes, regular office goers are unlikely to find much relief from crowded trains and congested roads.
The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) conducted trial runs between the Vasai (fort) jetty and the Bhayander (west) jetty. The 3.50 km distance by water will take about 15 minutes one-way. The total distance, includes a four km road too. Suvarnadurg Shipping and Marine Services Pvt Ltd, that has been operating Ro-Ro services in the Konkan region, is operating the vessel ‘Janhvi’. A total of 100 passengers and 33 vehicles can be ferried in a single journey. For the next three months, there will be eight to and fro journeys from Vasai and Bhayander, in a gap of around 90 minutes. The timetable of the services will be operational from Wednesday.
MMB chief executive officer Manik Gursal said the proper sailing route of the vessel is being examined. The smooth sailing of the ferry, easy embarkation of passengers and vehicles from the vessel and boats will also be examined for about three months before the formal inauguration.
Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MP from Thane Rajan Vichare inaugurated the ferry service. Vehicle users and the general public flocked to both the jetties to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea. The first service from Vasai will start at 6.45 am and the first jetty from Bhayander will sail off at 7.30 am. Waiting rooms have been set up at the jetties for those who miss the ferry.
While the local fishing communities of the two cities will benefit from the ferry, regular office goers will have to continue using congested roads and over-crowded trains. ” The government should have focussed on the metro project that would help a larger section of the population,” said a resident of Virar. While those residing in Vasai and Bhayander will use the ferry, residents of Nalasopara, Virar, Mira Road may not find the jetty service of much use.
The tender for the Roll on-Roll off service was floated in 2017 at a cost of Rs 6.2 crore. The Ro-Ro service is part of the central government Sagarmala project to develop domestic trade. MMB had floated tenders for eight passenger jetties across Bhayander, Thane, Bhiwandi, Dombivli.
