Mumbai residents are getting another mode of public transport at their service following local trains, metro, and the monorail. Authorities are gearing up to launch an e-speedboat service that will link Mumbai with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), a development anticipated to dramatically reduce commute times for travellers.
This eagerly awaited service, however, will require a bit more time before it commences. As per JNPA's water transport supervisor, Captain Balasaheb Pawar, the electric speedboats are set to undergo testing for approximately another week before they are opened to the public.
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Electric Water taxi launched in 2022
The initiative, which was launched previously by Union ministers, Sarbananda Sonowal back in 2022 is not yet operational as several safety and performance evaluations are still outstanding. Officials indicated that a showcase of the boats is anticipated to occur later this month, after which the service may be implemented.
During the assessments, authorities will evaluate the vessels' speed, passenger capacity, and overall technical functionality to ensure smooth and secure operations prior to the initiation of regular services.
The new water transport option is projected to particularly assist workers who travel daily to the JNPA port. Currently, many of them rely on conventional wooden boats for their journey, a choice that is both lengthy and costly for frequent travel.
Officials are optimistic that the electric speedboat service could offer a quicker, more effective, and more economical substitute, facilitating the daily commute between Mumbai and the port area once operations commence.
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Two vessels in initial stage
The owner of Bharat Freight Group (BFG), Sohel Kazani, “One is a hybrid vessel powered by solar, electric battery, and diesel backup, while the other is fully electric. Both can be charged in less than an hour,” according to a FPJ report.
In the subsequent phase, four hydrogen-powered vessels will be added to the fleet once generators are established. BFG also intends to extend the service beyond JNPA with new routes linking South Mumbai to Elephanta Caves, Belapur, Alibaug, and maritime tourism circuits.
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