Maharashtra: Expect to roll on and off Kashid beach by next year

The holiday crowd heading to the scenic Kashid beach in Raigad will get a respite from traffic jams on the Mumbai-Goa highway. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is planning to start a roll on-roll off (RoRo) service for passengers and cars from Ferry Wharf to Kashid.

"We are seeking funds under the Sagarmala project for the service," said Vikram Kumar, MMB CEO. He said they have applied for environment clearances.

The Rs 85-crore project, which will take around a year to complete, involves construction of a jetty, terminal building and breakwaters at Kashid, around 140 km from Mumbai by road. The beach, which is around 33 km from Alibaug, is a tourist attraction.

The MMB plans to begin tendering after the permissions come through.

Though the launch of the much-touted RoRo service between Ferry Wharf and Mandwa has been delayed, Kumar said the ship to be deployed on the route by a private operator was expected to arrive by month-end. Sources said if the timeline was adhered to, the operations were likely to begin next month.

It will take just around 35 minutes for passengers to travel from Nerul to Ferry Wharf while Ferry Wharf to Mandwa route will take 20 minutes (compared to around four hours now).

The first vessel, which can carry around 70 to 80 cars and around 300 passengers is expected to be operationalised by August.

WHAT-A-WAY TO GO

• The east-coast water transport project is being implemented jointly by MMB, CIDCO and MbPt with terminals being built at Ferry Wharf in Mumbai, Mandwa in Raigad district and Nerul in Navi Mumbai. 
   
• Project’s Nerul arm likely to be commissioned next year. officials said.