Mumbai: Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, when lakhs of devotees head back to their Konkan hometowns, the Maharashtra government has rolled out a new travel option. From September 1, a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) passenger ferry will operate between Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) in Mumbai and Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, the state ports department confirmed.
The service touted as South Asia’s fastest ferry at 25 knots will reduce the grueling 10-12 hour road journey on the Mumbai-Goa highway to just 3 to 5.5 hours by sea. According to ports minister Nitesh Rane, the project had been in the pipeline since Devendra Fadnavis’ first tenure as chief minister and has received 147 approvals, including clearances from DG Shipping and Mumbai Port Trust.
The ferry, M2M Princess, can carry 656 passengers, 50 cars and 30 two-wheelers. Future expansions aim to add stops at Shrivardhan and Mandwa, with new jetties under development.
Fares and Charges
- Economy ticket: ₹2,500
- Premium economy: ₹4,000
- Business class: ₹7,500
- First class: ₹9,000
- Cars: ₹6,000
- Two-wheelers: ₹1,000; Bicycles: ₹600
- Minibus: ₹13,000; 30-seater bus: ₹14,500
- 45-seater bus: ₹17,000; Larger buses: ₹21,000
While some users may find the fares steep, Rane defended the pricing, noting that passengers flying to Sindhudurg’s Chipi Airport already pay between ₹18,000 and ₹27,000.
Routes and Timelines
The vessel will sail to Jaigad in Ratnagiri, taking about 3 to 3.5 hours, and Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg, requiring 5 to 5.5 hours. Though the Jaigad jetty is operational, it lies 40 km from Ratnagiri city. To bridge the gap, the government will run shuttle buses until a jetty closer to Ratnagiri is ready.
Rane described the launch as a “historic moment”, marking the return of Roro services to Konkan after over three decades.
Backdrop of Highway Woes
The timing could not be more significant. Each Ganesh festival, Konkan-bound travellers face crippling jams on the unfinished Mumbai-Goa highway, with snarl-ups stretching for hours. Authorities believe the new ferry service provides much-needed relief though its pricing may limit accessibility for many who rely on packed special trains and buses instead.
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