'Mumbai To Ratnagiri In 3 Hours': Minister Nitesh Rane Says Waterways High Priority For Maharashtra

Last Updated:August 13, 2025, 21:35 IST

Ports development minister Nitesh Rane said the new routes will have the M2M ferry offering Ro-Ro service for passengers and vehicles between Mumbai and Alibaug

Maharashtra ministers Nitesh Rane and Yogesh Kadam speak during their session at the CNN-News18 Town Hall in Mumbai on August 13. (Image: News18)

In a bid to boost connectivity via waterways as envisioned by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai will soon be connected to Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg by M2M ferry service offering Ro-Ro service for passengers and vehicles.

Maharashtra  minister Nitesh Narayan Rane said the new ferry service will be like the one connecting Mumbai and Alibaug. It will enable commuters to complete the journey between Mumbai and Ratnagiri in three hours, while the ferry will have a capacity of 150 vehicles and 500 passengers.

He said the infrastructure is ready for the new ferry services, which will operate between Mazgaon in South Mumbai and Ratnagiri as well as Sindhudurg. The city will also have a water metro on the lines of the one in Kochi by December 2026.

“The CM is clear on water transport. We are starting the Mumbai water metro – based on the Kochi water metro – connecting MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) by December 2026; and three routes are ready. Once it is open, you will be able to go anywhere in the city via waterways. We will also have a Ro-Ro service from Mazgaon to Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The entire infrastructure is ready," Rane, who is the ports development minister, said during an interaction at the CNN-News18 Townhall in Mumbai.

M2M is a ferry service operating primarily between Mumbai and Alibaug. It offers a Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) service for passengers and vehicles.

Asked about passenger safety on choppy Arabian Sea waters, he said his department will be in regular touch with the central shipping ministry.

“All safety checks are being done and we will be in regular touch with central shipping. The M2M ferry is an advanced vessel and the ride will be less bumpy," he said.

Oindrila Mukherjee

Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st...Read More

Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st...

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August 13, 2025, 21:35 IST

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