Another key project of Mumbai gets out of Shiv Sena’s hand as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has handed over the inland passenger water transport project to the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). The project involves mass transport of people and cars on ferries and vessels.

What the status of the project?

Sena-headed Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will not be implementing the project for the eastern coast of city despite the fact that tender has been awarded. The project only needs clearance from a cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure, which CM will chair and is yet to be reconstituted, before release of work order.

Fadnavis told dna that he had given an in-principle nod for the east coast water transport project. However, the plans for a similar system on the western coast has been put on hold since it didn’t seem feasible. A study regarding the west coast water transport project is under-way.

Why did Sena-headed MSRDC lose it?

Fadnavis justified the selection of MMB over MSRDC saying it was the the maritime board’s core subject. “Our opinion is that the MMB must do it,” said Fadnavis, adding that he would speak to public works (public undertakings) minister Eknath Shinde, who holds charge of the MSRDC.

“I will tell the MSRDC that your expertise lies in (constructing) buildings and bridges... the water transport project can be given to the MMB and you can handle the rest,” he said, adding that a broad agreement would be arrived at.

Which other agency is involved?

An official from Mumbai Port Trust, which would be jointly implementing the project with MMB on the eastern coast, said, “The ferries would be operated on two routes, namely – Gateway of India-Mandwa and Ferry Wharf-Uran.” These would be RoPax ferries (Roll On-Roll Off Passenger) and catamarans so that vehicles as well as passengers can sail together.

The idea is to have high speed vessels that will accommodate 30-40 cars and about 250 passengers. Presently, officials are working towards coming up with a tender and fares for the service is yet to be finalised.

Any revival plan for MSRDC?

As far as MSRDC is concerned, Fadnavis said they had plans to revive the corporation. So far, it has executed work on around 50 flyovers in Mumbai, and the Mumbai- Pune Expressway.

“We will improve its financial condition. The MSRDC has immense strengths as a corporation. Unfortunately, it suffered due to the bickering among the ministers in the previous (Congress- NCP) government,” said Fadnavis. The CM said they had a revival plan for the body by way of having an international arm.