Water Transport along Mumbai Coast To Stream Through Troubled Water [Apr 2012]

MSRDC has invited bids for water transportation project to run between Nariman Point and Borivli in the western coast of Mumbai. Subhajit Roy outlines the different aspect of this project
Travelling from Nariman Point to Borivli in just 40 minutes that also spending only Rs. 225! Yes, it’s going to be true. As part of the planned Inland Passenger Water Transport (IPWT) scheme on the west coast of Mumbai, you may soon be able to take a hovercraft from Nariman Point to Borivli covering the distance of 45 kms, therefore cutting down two-hour travel time to just 40 minutes.
Bracing the decades-old plan of introducing passenger water transport on the western coast of Mumbai yet again, the state-owned Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has recently called for fresh bids for the construction of terminals facilities and operating water transport.  If everything goes according to the plan, MSRDC will be able to appoint a contractor by June this year and expected to commence the water transportation by 2014.
The much-anticipated project that has repeatedly run into controversy in recent years is estimated to be built at a cost of around Rs. 753 crore. Earlier, a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model was opted for the project, but failed due to socio-political issues. However, the project is planned to be implemented on a cash-on-contract basis. 
This time, the MSRDC has called for tenders to design and build terminals bundled in three packages. The first package is for the construction of terminal facilities at Nariman Point and Juhu, the second for Bandra and Versova and the third for Borivli and Marve.  The estimated cost of the three packages is Rs. 262.36 crore, Rs. 239.39 crore and Rs. 251.69 crore, respectively. The Maharashtra Government, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have agreed to allot Rs. 250 crore each over the next two years.
The MSRDC has also invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from passenger vessel operators for operating the ferry services along the route.
Once completed, the much-anticipated water transportation project will allow 11 hovercrafts and 28 catamarans to run between Nariman Point and Borivli at an interval of 15 minutes. Each hovercrafts and catamarans will have the capacity of carrying 200-350 passengers.
Mirror ImageThough by the end of 2014 with the completion of Rs.753 crore project, Mumbaikars are hopeful of cruising through western coast; the need and viability of such project is still under cloud. Also lots of questions are being raised about the hurried initiative by the Government authorities in digging out a project that was sent under coffin many times whereas much important project like Nhava Sheva – Sewri rail-cum-sea link is clogged due to inadequacy in fund.
Also, the setting-up of terminal facilities in 6 points together with the movement of 11 hovercrafts and 28 catamarans at an interval of 15 minutes will certainly spoil the alongside beaches and disturb marine life across western coast.
Above all, ferries and catamarans find difficulties in navigating through rough seas and adverse weather conditions. That’s why, boat services from Gateway of India remain suspended for 3-4 months during monsoon every year. Therefore, the MSRDC should prepare contingency plan to tackle.

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