Mumbai: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has advocated the use of Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) materials for the proposed water taxi service connecting Mumbai, Vasai, Kalyan, Dombivli, and Navi Mumbai International Airport. The water taxis, constructed from composites, are expected to reduce travel time to the airport to just 17 minutes. A fleet of 10,000 such taxis is planned, revolutionising urban connectivity while reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.
Gadkari made this announcement at the inauguration of the 11th Edition of the International Conference and Exhibition on Reinforced Plastics (ICERP) 2025, organised by the FRP Institute from January 21-23 at the Mumbai Exhibition Centre, Goregaon.
Highlighting the initiative, Gadkari stated, “By leveraging sea routes around Mumbai and Thane and using composite materials for water taxis, we can significantly address urban traffic challenges while promoting sustainability.” He revealed that jetties near the Navi Mumbai International Airport, set to commence operations by March 2025, are already in place.
The Minister also emphasised the potential of composites to shape India’s growth trajectory. “Composites are a futuristic material with applications across defence, automotive, shipping, construction, and aerospace sectors. By reducing costs through advanced technologies and local raw materials, we can position India as a global leader in this industry,” he added.
Piya Thakkar, Chairperson of ICERP 2025, underlined the transformative role of composites, stating, “As India advances as a global economic leader, the composites industry is poised for exponential growth. This sector’s innovative applications are shaping India’s future across industries.”
India as a Global Manufacturing Hub
India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for manufacturing cost-effective composite materials. The domestic industry is expected to utilize 873.7 kilotons of composite raw materials by the end of 2024, with applications spanning automotive, aerospace, clean energy, and construction sectors.
