Water transport project gets Rs750crore Maharashtra shot in the arm

If all goes as per plans, you will be able to ferry to work by 2013. For, the state government has finally decided to pump in Rs750 crore for the passenger water transport project on both the eastern and the western fronts. In fact, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is already preparing tenders which it wants to float in early January.

“We’ve been given an assurance of the Rs 750-crore state funding for building infrastructure for the water transport project. If the funds come in on time, we can float tenders for the construction by January-February 2012,” said Bipin Shrimali, vice-chairman, MSRDC. Stating that infrastructure like jetties, ticketing system and passenger terminals could be set up in 18 months, he added, “We will outsource the running of boats tendering for which will be done simultaneously.”

The financial structuring of the project will be decided once the tenders are ready. “While MSRDC will not put any money into the project, it depends on the government if it wants a pie of their investment from the consortium running the transport system,” said Shrimali. A senior MSRDC official said the infrastructure will include the construction of an 800-metre elevated road at Ferry Wharf to be mainly used for the “roll-on, roll-off” services, allowing motorists to ferry along their vehicles.

“We’re also looking at catamarans, hovercrafts and normal boats, for which companies, mainly from Britain, Korea and Hong Kong, have evinced interest. Already in possession of a no-objection certificate from the Mumbai Port Trust from 2009, we only need an environmental clearance before commencing the project,” said SR Nandargikar, the project in-charge.