ROPAX Service

ROPAX Service

The Ministry of Shipping has launched a roll on-roll off cum passenger ferry service, called ‘ROPAX’, between Mumbai and Mandwa (Maharashtra).

• ROPAX service is a water transport service project under Eastern Waterfront Development.
• The road distance from Mumbai to Mandwa is about 110 kilometers, and it takes three to four hours, whereas by waterway the distance is about 18 kilometers and a journey of just an hour.
• ROPAX Vessel M2M -1 was built in Greece in September 2019. This Vessel has a speed of 14 knots and can carry 200 cars and 1000 passengers at a time. It is capable of operating even in a monsoon season.
• People will be able to travel in their cars directly on to the ROPAX vessel.
• The benefits of this service include a reduction in travel time, vehicular emission and traffic on the road.

Eastern Waterfront Development

• The Eastern Waterfront is the Mumbai Port Trust’s (MbPT’s) plan to develop the port lands across Mumbai’s eastern coast stretching from Sassoon Dock to Wadala.
• MbPT is an Autonomous Body of the Government of India under the Ministry of Shipping.
• Some of the major proposals under the project include a 93- hectare park near Haji Bunder, around 17 hectares for tourism-related projects such as themed streets and affordable housing.
• The project also has a focus on water transport by making a provision for water taxis, international and domestic cruises, andro-pax (roll-on/roll-off passengers) services.

Source: PIB