India, as a country, is progressing towards improved connection to the most remote areas with multipurpose elements. Recently, India accomplished a significant breakthrough in this industry by creating the first-ever water taxi service in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Useful Details
- The project, which would cost Rs 8.37 crore and currently cover three routes, is being sponsored equally by the union and the state governments.
- Among the three routes, Belapur is connected to Elephanta Caves, Belapur is connected to Ferry Wharf, and Belapur is connected to the JNPT.
- It will improve connections between Navi Mumbai and Mumbai.
- For investors looking to establish operations in the region, the accessibility of transportation is one of the most critical factors.
- It is part of the Sagarmala Initiative of the Central government.
- The Sagarmala initiative of the Centre aims to improve living conditions in the coastal areas.
Inauguration ceremony
The country’s first water taxi was launched in February by former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal. The Mumbai water taxi services were virtually started, promising a speedier connection between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Sonowal launched the water taxi service while Thackeray opened the newly completed Belapur jetty. Ajit Pawar, former Deputy Chief Minister, and Eknath Shinde, Former Minister of Urban Development, were also present.
During the ceremony, former Chief Minister Thackeray commended the Union Minister for choosing Mumbai as the nation’s first water taxi location. According to Indian Express, he stated, “Today is an important day as the country’s first water taxi is starting from Mumbai. The first railway service in the country was also started between Mumbai and Thane. The facilities which started from Mumbai were spread all over the country.”
He added, “This shipping service will be useful for getting Elephanta closer to tourists and will help connecting the MMR region. It is important and will prove to be more useful for the common man coming to Mumbai for work, and business. The sea should not be only used to watch the sunrise and sunset. In the next two to three years, we will be even desalinating sea water to use it for drinking.”
Union minister of shipping also addressed the audience, saying, “Apart from the water taxi, some more jetties are proposed in Mumbai Harbour area. The ministry is working in collaboration with the coastal states on various projects for port development, fisheries development, jetty construction, and skills development. The Sagarmala programme is promoting rapid economic development. As many as 131 projects worth Rs 1.05 lakh crore have been earmarked for Maharashtra. Of these, financial assistance of Rs 2,078 crore will be provided to 46 projects. These projects will benefit Mumbai and the coastal districts of the state. Thirty-two projects are under implementation in the four clusters of Palghar, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra for the uplift of the fishermen community.”
Let us look into a few details of the Sagarmala Initiative
It was authorized by the Union Cabinet in 2015 to implement the Sagarmala Programme, which aims to develop comprehensive port infrastructure along the coastline of India through modernization, automation, and digitization. The Sagarmala Programme’s objective is to cut operational cost for EXIM (Export-Import) and local commerce while investing in minimum infrastructure.
In addition to increasing India’s merchandise exports by USD 110 billion, Sagarmala is expected to generate 10 million additional jobs (four million direct jobs) by 2025.
