Integrated water transport terminal to come up at Targhar near Navi Mumbai airport

Indian Express

a day ago

In a bid to promote water transport between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, apart from improving the connectivity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the state government has prepared plans to set up an Integrated Inland Water Transport Terminal at Targhar village, which is at a distance of 1.2 kilometres from the upcoming airport at the southern bank of Panvel creek. The terminal will not only facilitate movement of passengers, visitors and employees, but also cargo between south Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
Earlier this week, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) made a presentation of the possible project site to Maharashtra's ports department. As per the presentation, the access to nearly 5 to 7 acres of the site will be made through a proposed coastal road and it will cross Amra Marg (a road near the airport) through an underpass and will reach via service road of Amra Marg. The project would require CRZ clearance. The said coastal road is 7-km long (5.8 kilometres for the main alignment and 1.2 km for the airport link) and construction work is likely to be completed by September 2026.
As per the presentation, the distance via waterways to other inland water terminals in proximity to the proposed site is less than other modes of transport. The distance to Gateway of India and new ferry wharf via road is nearly 41 km and 37 km respectively while that via waterway is 24 km and 20 km. The Sassoon Docks and Yogayatan Port via road is 43 km and 24 km which via waterway is 26 km and 10 km, respectively. The proposed terminal also aims to connect Mandwa, Karanja and Rewas terminals which are at 81km, 35 km and 79 km via road. Using waterways, the distance will be reduced to 32 km, 30km and 32 km, respectively. With speed via waterways is 30-40 km per hour, the south Mumbai can be reached from the terminal within 30-40 minutes.
The estimated traffic forecast for the terminal is 1,270 passengers per day initially which is estimated to grow at 14,300 per day in 30-35 years. 'Based on traffic forecast, there is demand for development of IWT at Targhar in Navi Mumbai with development of international airport and integration between various modes of transport,' said the official.
The proposed terminal will have 230 metres of water frontage with a capacity of 40 to 80 passenger boats. The Terminal Jetty Apron will have a 30 ft X 750 ft asphalt circulation area (225 square metres) with a large movable gangway for boarding ferries and vessels. A multi-use recreational area (14,000 square metres) will have seating arrangements for locals and visitors. The Integrated Water Terminal Building (3,000 sq metres) is designed to accommodate peak traffic of 1,800 passengers per hour. The Ground Transportation Area (11,500 sq metres) includes a parking area for cars, taxis, buses and other vehicle circulation, pickup and drop-off facilities. It also has provision for movement of emergency vehicles and fuel ferries.
The proposed site was being used as a fabrication yard for storing construction material, which will need upgrading before becoming operational. The other terminals and shipyards near the site include Seawoods IWT terminal, rock and reef shipyard and Belapur creek wharf.
'It was a very primary presentation where the idea to promote water transport was discussed. We will get more inputs on this, discussions will be held, and further development of the project will take place,' said an official from the CIDCO.
The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) will oversee the construction of the terminal. Ports minister Nitesh Rane, after the meeting on Monday, had said he has directed the officials to prepare a formal proposal and initiate work on acquiring necessary permissions.