Union surface and water transport minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday that Mumbai will get amphibious buses and roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) services, which will connect the island city with the distant suburbs. Ro-ro vessels can carry buses and cars with passengers in them.
Gadkari said while 44% of transport in China is on water, the figure for India is three per cent. “We are planning to launch light-weight catamarans made of aluminium that can carry eight buses with passengers via sea. With such catamarans and amphibious buses, we can explore routes between CST and Thane via Navi Mumbai.”
During a debate in the assembly, minister of state for urban development Ranjit Patil said state agencies were already studying a passenger water route encompassing Gaimukh in Thane, Bhayandar creek, Vasai, Gorai, Borivli, Mira Road, Kalyan, Vashi and Mumbai. He said two other routes were being considered for improved water transport: Ferry Wharf to Nerul and Ferry Wharf to Mandwa.