Palghar: A long-awaited convenience for commuters in Palghar district is finally setting sail. Residents of Palghar and Virar can look forward to significantly shorter travel times as the much-awaited Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service connecting Kharwadeshri in Jalsar (Saphale), Palghar, and Marambalpada in Narangi, Virar, commences its trial operations on April 19.
About The Project
Designed to cut both travel time and distance, the service offers a much-needed alternative to the heavily congested road network linking Virar and Palghar talukas, mainly Virar, Vasai, Saphale, and Kelwa regions.
Currently, the 60-kilometer road journey between Kharwadeshri and Narangi typically consumes around 90 minutes. The Ro-Ro ferry, however, will traverse the 1.5-kilometer water route in just 15 to 20 minutes, significantly cutting down both time and fuel expenses for daily commuters and tourists traveling between Virar, Vasai, Saphale, and Kelwa regions.
The launch of this service has been a subject of much discussion across the district. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) announced the initiation of the trial run, with the service available to the public in three sessions throughout the day. Following successful trial runs, the ferry will operate seamlessly between Narangi and Jalsar.
The project is part of the central government’s ambitious Sagarmala initiative, aimed at enhancing coastal and inland waterway connectivity across India. Originally approved on October 26, 2017, with an administrative sanction of Rs. 12.92 crore, the project later received an updated financial allocation of Rs. 23.68 crore in March 2023. The construction contract was awarded in February 2024 after receiving all necessary environmental and judicial clearances, including approvals from the High Court and the Supreme Court. Suvarnadurg Shipping and Marine Services Pvt. Ltd. has been awarded the contract to operate the ferry service.
While the jetty at Marambalpada was completed in August 2021, incurring approximately Rs. 30 crore for the approach road construction, the permanent pile jetty at Kharwadeshri is still under construction and is expected to take another 14 months. To facilitate the immediate launch of the service, a temporary reinforced sloping ramp is now operational.
The MMB has rigorously assessed the safety and operational aspects of the Ro-Ro ferry, including navigation, jetty infrastructure, and the ease of loading and unloading passengers and vehicles. With finalized ticket prices and a released schedule, the MMB is optimistic that this eco-friendly and comfortable water transport option will provide significant time savings and convenience for the public.
Time and Distance Savings
The stark contrast in travel time and distance highlights the significant advantage of the Ro-Ro service:
Road: 60 km, approximately 90 minutes
Ferry: 1.5 km, 15-20 minutes
This drastically reduced travel time will not only benefit daily commuters but also enhance connectivity to Palghar, the district headquarters located about 70 kilometers from Virar by road, effectively halving the travel distance.
Planned Frequency
Starting April 19, the Ro-Ro service will depart from Virar at 6:30 am, with the last return trip scheduled from Kharwadeshri at 7:00 pm. Ferries will operate at fifteen-minute intervals during the morning, afternoon, and evening. Night services are anticipated to begin on April 25th, with the final departure from Virar at 10:00 pm and the last ferry from Jalsar at 10:10 pm.
Proposed Fare Structure
According to the operating company, each ferry is designed to accommodate up to 20 small four-wheelers, 25 two-wheelers, and a substantial number of passengers. The fare structure for the Virar–Kharwadeshri route is expected to mirror the existing Vasai–Bhayandar ferry rates:
Bicycle: Rs. 10
Motorcycle (with rider): Rs. 66
Empty Three-Wheeler Rickshaw (with driver): Rs. 110
Four-Wheeler Car (with driver): Rs. 200
Passenger Vehicle or Heavy Vehicle: Rs. 220
Large Passenger Vehicle: Rs. 275
Empty Passenger Bus, Truck, Tractor: Rs. 330
Empty Goods Truck and JCB: Rs. 550
Livestock (per head): Rs. 55
Fish, Birds, Chicken, Fruits etc. (per basket) & Dog, Goat, Sheep (per head): Rs. 40
Adult Passenger (above 12 years): Rs. 30
Child Passenger (3 to 12 years): Rs. 15
The project encountered initial delays due to the presence of mangrove forest land in Jalsar and Kharwendri villages, hindering the construction of jetties. However, the transfer of 4790 square meters of mangrove area from the Forest Department to the Maharashtra Maritime Board by the State Government’s Revenue and Forest Department resolved this issue. With the jetties at both Virar and Jalsar now complete and berthing trials underway, senior MMB officials have confirmed that 95% of the project is finished, with the remaining 5% expected to be completed soon, paving the way for the full-fledged inauguration of this vital transportation link.
