Mumbai-Konkan journey in 5 hours; Ro-Ro ferry service from September 1

The wait for thousands of passengers is over. The Maharashtra government's new Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) ferry service connecting Mumbai and Konkan will start from September 1. This will significantly reduce the travel time. The new Ro-Ro service is a boon for passengers who suffer from traffic jams on the Mumbai-Goa highway during festive seasons like Ganesh Chaturthi and Holi.

Jaigarh (Ratnagiri) can be reached in just 3 hours and Vijayadurg (Sindhudurg) in 5 hours. It usually takes 10-12 hours by road. The ferry's ticketing system is convenient for all categories of passengers. The fares start at Rs 2500 for economy class and go up to Rs 9000 for first class. This service is also a boon for vehicle owners. The fares are Rs 6,000 for cars, Rs 1,000 for two-wheelers and Rs 600 for cycles. The ferry, which can carry 50 four-wheelers, 30 two-wheelers and mini buses, connects Mumbai's Bhaucha Dhaka with jetties in Jaigad and Vijayadurg.

The fastest Ro-Ro service in South Asia is a major initiative of the Maharashtra government. The project has received all the requisite 147 permits and has been implemented adhering to world-class safety standards, Fisheries and Port Development Minister Nitesh Rane said. It is part of the state government's vision to provide relief and enhance connectivity to lakhs of people travelling to their villages during the festive season.

The new Mumbai-Konkan route builds on the success of the existing Ro-Ro ferry service between Mumbai and Mandwa. The Mumbai-Alibaug service, which takes about an hour, has made the popular coastal town more accessible. The congested road journey, which usually takes more than three hours, is a thing of the past. The facility to take a car or bike along on the ferry is a big change for tourists, making day trips and weekend getaways to Alibaug more convenient and enjoyable.