Nitin Gadkari Proposes 10,000 Water Taxis to Connect Mumbai Suburbs to New Airport
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has unveiled an ambitious proposal aimed at transforming the way people travel to and from Mumbai’s new international airport. Speaking at the ICERP 2025 exhibition, Gadkari highlighted a plan to introduce 10,000 water taxis to ferry passengers from Mumbai’s far-flung suburbs to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
This forward-thinking initiative seeks to significantly reduce travel time, offering a convenient and fast mode of transport across the city’s bustling waters. According to Gadkari, water taxis could carry passengers from distant suburbs such as Virar to the north of Mumbai, as well as from Kalyan-Dombivli in the northeast, to the new airport in just 70 minutes. Gadkari also mentioned that discussions about this project had already taken place with Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, and that both parties were keen to move forward with the plan. The proposal is particularly significant for people living in the suburbs, as it could drastically cut down on travel time to the airport, bypassing the heavy road traffic that often chokes Mumbai’s highways. The idea of water taxis is not new in major cities with coastlines, but the scale of this proposal in Mumbai is groundbreaking. The plan aims to utilise the natural geography of Mumbai, which is surrounded by the Arabian Sea and numerous creeks, to create a sustainable and efficient transport system. As traffic congestion continues to be a major issue in the city, water taxis offer a potential solution to the problem, providing a faster alternative to road-based transportation.
Passenger flights from the new Navi Mumbai airport are set to commence in April 2026, and the connectivity to this airport is a priority for both state and central authorities. As part of the broader infrastructure development plan, the new airport is also expected to be linked with metro rail services to further ease passenger movement. In discussing the water taxi proposal, Gadkari pointed out the importance of using modern materials for building the boats, such as fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP). He noted that this material is becoming increasingly popular in the shipping industry due to its durability, lightweight properties, and cost-effectiveness. Gadkari encouraged manufacturers to focus on reducing the cost of FRP to make the water taxis more affordable and commercially viable.
The introduction of 10,000 water taxis could transform Mumbai’s transport landscape, potentially easing the burden on the city’s already overburdened road infrastructure. The proposed water taxi service also aims to be environmentally friendly, using the natural waterways to reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions. Residents of suburbs like Virar and Kalyan-Dombivli would greatly benefit from this development, as commuting to the new airport has often been a time-consuming and stressful experience. By offering a direct and swift water-based transport option, the water taxis could provide an attractive alternative to traditional road travel. Overall, Nitin Gadkari’s vision for a water taxi network is a promising step towards improving connectivity in Mumbai, which continues to grow as one of India’s busiest and most important urban hubs. If realised, this initiative could change the way people travel within the city, offering a more efficient, sustainable, and modern solution for commuters.
