🚢 Nerul–Mumbai Ferry Set to Launch on December 15, Offering 30-Minute Cross-Harbour Commute

Created By - Ajjay Bhagyakar

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra — A significant milestone in regional water transport is about to be achieved as the long-awaited Nerul–Mumbai ferry service prepares to begin operations on December 15, 2025. The new service will connect CIDCO’s Nerul Passenger Water Terminal (NPWT) with Bhaucha Dhakka in Mumbai, reducing the current 90-minute road commute to a 30-minute cross-harbour journey — a major boost for commuters and the region’s multi-modal transport network.

Fast, Comfortable and Convenient Travel

The ferry will start with four daily trips on a 20-seater vessel, priced at ₹935 per passenger. Final maritime clearances are expected before launch. The service is operated by Waterfront Experiences Mumbai Pvt Ltd, part of the Drishti Group, which has implemented strict safety protocols, including mandatory life jackets for all passengers.

A Key Link in the Transport Grid

CIDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Singhal highlighted the ferry’s role in enhancing Navi Mumbai’s transport infrastructure, complementing existing and upcoming road, metro and airport links. He noted that with the Nerul ferry service, water transport will become an integral part of the region’s multi-modal connectivity plan.

Singhal also emphasized that the ferry terminal is now moving closer to its envisioned role as a multi-route maritime hub, alongside other services such as the Elephanta ferry and emerging leisure activities. ( Nerul–Mumbai Ferry Set to Launch on December 15, Offering 30-Minute Cross-Harbour Commute )

Safety and Tourism Plans in Progress

Beyond daily commuting, the operator is developing tourism-oriented offerings to attract more visitors. Plans include:

• Water sports activities, like speedboat shows and jet skiing

• A floating restaurant

• An eco-tourism circuit featuring guided flamingo viewing at DPS Lake for visitors arriving from Mumbai

Such attractions are expected to increase footfall and enhance the terminal’s appeal as a leisure destination.

Overcoming Early Challenges

The Nerul Passenger Water Terminal was built at an approximate cost of ₹150 crore and inaugurated in 2023, but remained underutilized for nearly three years due to shallow water depths, regulatory delays and tender failures. Earlier this year, the Nerul–Elephanta ferry service was introduced, operating twice daily at ₹560 per person — though ridership has so far been modest, with only about 60 passengers using it each day.

Proposals for a Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) ferry service were ultimately dismissed due to draft limitations at the terminal, which does not provide sufficient water depth for such vessels even at high tide.

What Lies Ahead ( Nerul–Mumbai Ferry Set to Launch on December 15, Offering 30-Minute Cross-Harbour Commute )

With the Nerul–Mumbai ferry launch on December 15, the coming months will be critical. The success of the service — in terms of ridership growth and sustainable fare structures — will determine whether the terminal develops into the multi-route maritime hub envisioned by planners.

This development marks a new chapter in Navi Mumbai’s transport landscape, promising faster commutes, enhanced connectivity and expanded opportunities for both residents and tourists alike.

Published by: Griha Realty

Author: Ajjay Bhagyakar

Source: Hindustan Times