Up for a ferry ride from Bandra to Navi Mumbai?

Planning to travel to Navi Mumbai, the Elephanta Island or Mandwa in Raigad district from the western suburbs? Hop on to a ferry from Bandra. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is planning to launch water transport projects from Bandra to other sites in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

"We are planning to develop the jetty structure at Bandra and allow smaller vessels to operate from the site in a month's time," said Atul Patne, CEO, MMB. This will allow the operation of passenger water transport services to Mandwa, the Elephanta Island, the Gateway of India and Belapur. "We plan to launch services on the Bandra-Mandwa-Belapur route, and will invite proposals for it," said Patne, adding that work on the construction of a gangway had started at the Bandra site and is expected to be completed by March-end. "Water taxis can operate on the Bandra-Mandwa route. Tourist cruises can be allowed from Bandra to Borivli and Raj Bhavan," said a senior MMB official.

The MMB has also revived plans for a passenger water transport project on Mumbai's western waterfront, and had floated expressions of interest for these services between Borivli and Nariman Point.