By Apurva Bhatt

Maharshtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that by January 2017 the state will have its first water transport services launched.

Speaking at an event held at Ferry Wharf he said, “In the month of July tenders will be floated and we have targeted January 2017, to start services between Gateway of India and Mandwa, and Ferry Wharf and Uran. Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) together will implement the project.”

He added that in 18 months, after awarding the contract, citizens will benefit with the waterways connecting Mumbai with Mandwa and Uran. These will be RoPax (Roll On-Roll Off Passenger) and RoRo (Roll On-Roll Off) ferries and catamarans, so that commuters as well as vehicles can sail together. These vessels will have a capacity to accommodate 30-40 cars and around 250 passengers.