Gadkari Proposes 10,000 Water Taxis to Connect Mumbai Suburbs To Navi Mumbai Airport

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday (21 January) announced a proposal to introduce 10,000 water taxis to connect Mumbai's distant suburbs with the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.

Speaking at the ICERP 2025 exhibition, Gadkari revealed that he has already discussed the idea with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Highlighting the potential of water transport, Gadkari said, "Taking from all sides of Mumbai, from Vasai-Virar to Kalyan-Dombivali, it (water taxis) can connect to the new airport in 70 minutes. Already I have discussed the proposal with the CM. We need 10,000 water taxis in Mumbai."

The water taxis would ferry passengers from suburbs like Virar, located along the Arabian Sea to the north of Mumbai, and Kalyan-Dombivali, situated on the northeast along the Thane Creek.

This initiative aims to offer a faster and more efficient alternative to the congested roadways.

Passenger flights from the Navi Mumbai International Airport are scheduled to commence in April next year.

Complementing the water taxi proposal, plans are also in place to link the airport with metro rail for seamless passenger movement.

Gadkari emphasised the use of futuristic fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) material for constructing the water taxis, citing its significance in the shipping industry.

He urged manufacturers to work on reducing the cost of this material to make the project economically viable.

This ambitious proposal would be a major effort to modernise Mumbai's transport infrastructure and reduce travel times, bringing new possibilities for commuters and enhancing connectivity in the region.

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