In a city synonymous with relentless traffic and a skyline etched with the aspirations of millions, Mumbai is set to embrace a quieter, swifter, and greener way to commute. The Maharashtra government’s latest initiative—a fully electric water taxi service between South Mumbai’s iconic Radio Club Jetty and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport—marks a pivotal moment in reimagining urban mobility.
Currently, the road journey between these two vital points can take 60 to 75 minutes, even with the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link in place. The water taxi will slash that time down to just 40 minutes. The sea route not only decongests Mumbai’s roads but also opens up a new chapter in sustainable, multimodal transport solutions.
At the heart of the plan are electric boats designed for low emissions and minimal noise, making them a future-ready mode of transport. The Maharashtra Maritime Board, which will oversee infrastructure development, plans to construct the jetty and terminal in phases. The Supreme Court’s recent clearance of legal hurdles has paved the way for swift execution.
The water taxi network is being designed to seamlessly connect with the Mumbai Water Metro and other public transport systems, including buses, metro lines, and trains. The vision is to create a transportation web that’s interconnected.
Backed by strategic collaboration between CIDCO and the ports department, and with approvals from the Airport Authority of India underway, this project signals Maharashtra’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure, tourism development, and the larger goal of economic decentralization by empowering Navi Mumbai as a key urban hub.
The initiative also dovetails with larger state ambitions of positioning Maharashtra as a pioneer in clean and intelligent urban planning. With the Navi Mumbai International Airport expected to be a game-changer in India’s aviation landscape, the water taxi service complements this transformation by ensuring accessible, efficient last-mile connectivity.
While questions around fare structures, service frequency, and passenger capacity are expected to be ironed out in the coming months, the direction is clear: Mumbai is charting a bold new course over water.
As construction begins and the first electric boats get ready to set sail, the city’s residents and visitors alike can look forward to a scenic, time-saving, and environmentally friendly journey—one that reflects the very essence of Mumbai: always moving forward.