Reaching the Mumbai-Goa highway will take three hours less if the proposed Ro-Ro (roll-over-roll-off) services from Ferry Wharf to Mandva begin soon.

With the Maharashtra government expected to greenlight the project to MMRDA shortly, the service will help people to take their vehicles from Ferry Wharf to Mandva through a boat, thus reducing travel time considerably.

MMRDA has launched its research to identify the spots which require dredging for smooth functioning of the ferry service. The present waiting room at Ferry Wharf will be replaced by the proposed passenger terminal and the RCF jetty will be used as a terminal at Mandva.

The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has given a go-ahead and expected give its approval soon. The port trust chairman recently paid a visit to MMRDA to discuss and plan the Ro-Ro project. After developing the infrastructure, MMRDA will appoint the service providers for the operations.

“The ferry service will provide faster connectivity to commuters travelling to Alibaug, Wadkhal Naka, heading towards Goa or Konkan. The work will commence as soon as the government approves the project,” said Ratnakar Gaikwad, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.