A ‘Letter of award’ for the first ‘Ro-Ro’ (roll on-roll off) Mumbai to Goa ship service has been given. By bus on a ship from Mumbai to Goa! The ‘letter of award’ has been given to M/s. Maldar Dredgers and Salvagers by the Maharashtra Maritime Board. A dream come true for many a Mumbaikar and Goemkar. Now Goans can look forward to their favourite travel – by sea to Mumbai.
Though not touching Goa directly, this Ro-Ro service will dock at three ports enabling passenger vehicles to ride on or ride off and continue their onward journey by road. The three ports that are readied with the proper infrastructure are Mandwa (Alibaug), Nerul (Navi Mumbai) and Navin Bhaucha Dhakka (Mumbai’s New Ferry Wharf).
Pic. credit: Mumbai Colors
Pic. Credit: Free Press Journal
What is Ro-Ro?
Ro-Ro means Roll on – Roll off. The Ro-Ro ship service will enable transportation of buses, cars, trucks and trailers across the sea. Vehicles will ride into the ship and get transported to any one of the ports mentioned from where they can continue their onward journey by road.
Benefits of the Ro-Ro
Travelling by road entails huge traffic jams, whereas the Ro-Ro will avoid all traffic jams as it sets sail over the calm Arabian Sea. Ensuring a smooth passage right up to Mandwa or Ferry Wharf. Being a unique mode of transport, it will add excitement to the Mumbai-Goa journey. Avid sea-farers will get their share of sun and sea, if not for the whole, at least for a part of the journey.
This good news comes at a time when talks of Mumbai-Goa passenger sea transport resuming were doing the rounds. News reports stated that the Government of Goa had initiated talks to resume the Goa – Mumbai catamaran service. The Goa port is being developed with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate passenger liners. Its just a matter of time before the direct Mumbai to Goa sea transport becomes a reality.
