New Ro-Ro Ferry Service to Transform Mumbai-Konkan Travel from September 1

Starting September 1, a new roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service will connect Mumbai to the Konkan region, significantly reducing travel times for thousands of passengers. The M2M vessel, launched by the Maharashtra government, will cut the journey to Jaigad in Ratnagiri to just three hours and to Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg to five hours, compared to the usual 10-12 hours by road on the congested Mumbai-Goa highway, especially during festive seasons like Ganeshotsav and Holi.

The ferry, departing from Mumbai’s Bhaucha Dhakka, can carry 50 four-wheelers, 30 two-wheelers, and mini-buses. Passenger fares range from Rs 2,500 for economy class to Rs 9,000 for first class, with vehicle charges set at Rs 6,000 for cars, Rs 1,000 for two-wheelers, and Rs 600 for bicycles. This pricing structure aims to accommodate various budgets while allowing travelers to bring their vehicles for convenient onward travel.

Maharashtra’s Fisheries and Ports Development Minister, Nitesh Rane, described the service as South Asia’s fastest Ro-Ro ferry, operating at 25 knots. The project, which secured 147 permits, adheres to world-class safety standards, Rane told News18. It builds on the success of the Mumbai-Mandwa (Alibaug) Ro-Ro service, which has reduced travel time to the coastal town to about an hour, compared to over three hours by road.

The initiative is part of a broader vision to enhance coastal connectivity, with plans to add stops at Shrivardhan and Mandwa and eventually extend the service to Goa, offering a faster, scenic alternative to road travel. Rane emphasized the ferry’s role in easing the burden on travelers heading to their native villages during peak festive periods, a time when road and rail routes face heavy congestion. The launch, hailed as a game-changer by News18, is expected to boost tourism and provide a reliable travel option for Konkan residents and visitors alike.