Mumbai: Travelling from Mumbai to Konkan is set to become much faster and more convenient with the upcoming roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service from Mumbai to Ratnagiri.
The new M2M Ferries service will slash travel time between Mumbai and Jaigad in Ratnagiri by more than half, offering a faster and scenic alternative to the long road journey.
Faster Route to Konkan Coast
Currently, a road trip from Mumbai to Vijaydurg takes around 10 to 12 hours. With the new Ro-Ro service, this journey will be reduced to less than five hours. The ferry will cover the Mumbai–Jaigad stretch in just three hours.
Ports Minister Nitesh Rane, who inspected the ferry, announced the development on social media. “Konkan Railway and Mumbai Goa Highway are important links connecting Konkan and Mumbai. Now a new link connecting Mumbai and Konkan by sea is coming into service for the people of Konkan,” he tweeted.
Sharing his excitement, Rane added, “I got the opportunity to conduct a preliminary inspection of it. As a native of Konkan, I feel rightly proud of this opportunity.”
Ticket Fares and Travel Classes
The Ro-Ro ferry offers four travel categories — Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class. The ticket fares for each category are:
- Economy Class: ₹2,500 per person
- Premium Economy: ₹4,000 per person
- Business Class: ₹7,500 per person
- First Class: ₹9,000 per person
Passengers can also carry their own vehicles for a seamless onward journey. The vehicle fares are ₹6,000 per car, ₹1,000 per two-wheeler, and ₹600 per bicycle. The ferry can accommodate up to 50 four-wheelers and 30 two-wheelers at a time.
Service Launch and Test Runs
The ferry service was initially planned to begin before Ganesh Chaturthi but was delayed due to poor weather conditions. It will now commence operations on 1 September, following a series of test runs.Ports Minister Nitesh Rane confirmed, “As per the meteorological department reports, the weather conditions are now improving. We will conduct a test run over the next five days and commence the commercial service on September 1. The Ro-Ro service will start in Mumbai from Bhau Cha Dhakka at 6.30 am. After reaching Vijaydurg, it will start its return journey in two hours.”
