By Apurva Bhatt

If all goes well passengers and tourists travelling between Mumbai and Goa can avail ferry services. A "global expression of interest" proposal jointly floated by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and the Murmugao Port Trust has attracted two firms.

Depending upon the financial feasibility, a long-distance luxury (air-conditioned) cruise with a capacity of 200-300 passengers or less than 200 passengers is proposed to be operated."Two firms have evinced interest to operate the services. Whichever firm offers the lowest cost for passengers with the best service and better returns for the government will be selected," said a senior official from the Murmugao Port Trust. Ravi Parmar, MbPT chairman, said the basic infrastructure, such as berths and operational equipment, were already available at both the ends and they only have to be refurbished.

According to sources, the government had offered financially attractive proposal with subsidies and other facilities to the two firms and the chances of one of them bagging the contract is high. While addressing a press conference in the city, Murmugao Port Trust chairman Cyril C George confirmed that ferry services would soon commence between Mumbai and Goa to cater to the needs of tourists.