Mumbai-Konkan travel: RoRo ferry to Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg from Sept 1; fares start Rs 2,500 per passenger, Rs 6k for cars

MUMBAI: On the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, which witnesses an exodus of lakhs of Konkan residents from Mumbai to their villages, the state govt has announced the start of RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) ferry services from Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) to Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.

Services will begin from Sept 1 onwards, once the weather stabilises. At 25 knots, this will be the fastest ferry service in South Asia, and in the future, additional stops like Shrivardhan and Mandwa will be added, with jetties being developed accordingly.The services will cut travel time, which currently ranges from 10-12 hours by road, to just 3 to 5.5 hours. The state faces several local body polls later this year.

The RoRo (roll-on/ roll-off) ferry from Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) to Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg will accommodate 656 passengers, 50 four-wheelers and 30 twowheelers.“The RoRo was mooted during chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ first term. We have received 147 permissions for the project including from central bodies like DG shipping and Mumbai Port Trust,” said state ports minister Nitesh Rane.

The fare for the ferry, M2M Princess, will range from Rs 2,500 for economy, Rs 4,000 for premium economy, Rs 7,500 for business class and Rs 9,000 for first class.

A four-wheeler will be charged Rs 6,000, bike Rs 1,000 and bicycle Rs 600. Ferrying a minibus will cost Rs 13,000, a 30seater bus Rs 14,500, a 45-seater bus Rs 17,000 and a bigger bus Rs 21,000.On the steep charges, Rane said, “This service will really cut travel time. In any case, people flying from Mumbai to Chipi Airport in Sindhudurg are willing to pay ticket prices ranging from Rs 18,000 to Rs 27,000.”Rane said the ferry will travel at a speed of 25 knots, and will be among the fastest passenger ferries in the country.

It will travel to Jaigad in Ratnagiri and Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg. "By comparison, the ferry from Mumbai to Alibaug travels at 10-15 knots," said Rane.“There are jetties at both landings. The jetty at Jaigad is ready but it is around 40 km from the city. We will provide 4-5 buses to travel to Ratnagiri. Over time, we will extend the jetty to Ratnagiri terminal,” he said. The travel time from Mumbai to Ratnagiri’s Jaigad will be between 3 and 3.5 hours.

The timing from Mumbai to Vijaydurg will range between 5 and 5.5 hours, he said.“This is a historic moment. RoRo ferry services will return to the Konkan after over 30 years,” said Rane. When asked about the poor state of roads on MumbaiGoa highway which is also used by many to return to the Konkan during the Ganpati festival, Rane said, “We keep raising this issue as elected representatives. By next Ganpati season, the situation will improve.”Meta Analysis: As thousands of devotees head home from Mumbai to the Konkan for the Ganesh festival, the incomplete work on the Mumbai Goa highway has resulted in traffic snarls lasting for hours. This is why the tapping of the sea-route to the Konkan is a welcome relief. The Roro ferry service is expected to cut travel time from 10-12 hours by road to just 3 to 5.5 hours. For now, it will take passengers to Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. However, the main drawback is the steep ticket price beginning at Rs 2,500 for an economy seat.

Few of the thousands who throng the Ganpati special trains and buses will be able to afford this fare.