Mumbai
to Dighi port domestic cruise service, expected this Oct
 |
| Reference picture |
Four months after it
was proposed, the city will finally see its first domestic cruise service. The
Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) is likely to start its domestic cruise
services this October. These services will operate from Ferry Wharf in Mumbai
to Dighi port in Raigad district.
Ferry Wharf which is
the city’s premier fishing port is set to refurbished by the Mumbai Port Trust
which will provide the necessary infrastructure. An MMB official said, “The
MbPT will provide the shed and waiting area for passengers at Ferry Warf.”
The authority has
recently appointed a local operator to run the cruise services. “It depends on
the operator from where he would purchase the cruise for operating the
services. October month is set as a deadline for operating the domestic cruise
services,” added the official.
The cruise will have a
capacity of 300 passengers. The cruise ship will be like a luxurious passenger
vessel. We will start with the refurbishing the vessel once the permission is
granted by Mumbai Port Trust,” said a local ship operator.
According to MMB
officials, the domestic cruise services would help in boosting domestic
tourism. Passengers will be able to travel comfortably to the Konkan region
which is gaining reputation as a tourist destination.
“We will soon
extend our cruise services upto Jaigarh and Dabhol ports in Ratnagiri
district,” said an MMB official. “We want Mumbaikars to
experience the feel of travelling in a cruise. The cost for travelling in a
cruise is yet to be decided. However, the rates would be kept nominal,” added
an MMB official.
He said, “The cruise
will not be a luxurious one, however it would give the travellers a good
experience. We have also planned for cultural programs inside the cruise for
entertainment.”
“We are now discussing
with other local operators for extending our services up to Goa and Tarkarli
village in Sindhudurg district,” he added.
Courtesy: The Free Press Journal