Vasai Bhayandar Ro-Ro services will operate additional trips during the Velankanni festival to help devotees travelling to the Velankanni Church in Uttan, according to a report by Loksatta. Suvarnadurga Shipping and Marine Services Pvt. Ltd. has increased the regular schedule from the Vasai and Bhayandar jetties during the morning and evening periods.
The Velankanni festival is being observed from August 29 to September 8 this year. While the main Velankanni shrine is located near Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, the festival is also celebrated by Christian communities in areas of Vasai-Virar and Bhayandar. Devotees from the two cities travel to the church in the Bhatebandar area of Uttan for prayers and darshan.
The additional services are intended to provide another travel option for passengers making the journey between Vasai and Bhayandar. The two areas do not have a direct road connection, requiring residents travelling between them to take a longer route via the national highway. Traffic congestion on that route has led some passengers to use the waterway instead.
According to the report, devotees had sought additional Ro-Ro trips during the festival period. Responding to the demand, Suvarnadurga Shipping decided to increase the number of services in the regular timetable, with two additional trips each in the morning and evening sessions.
The published timetable lists a morning departure from Vasai Fort to Bhayandar at 6:30 am, followed by a Bhayandar-to-Vasai service at 7 am. The evening schedule includes a Vasai Fort-to-Bhayandar departure at 9:45 pm and a return service from Bhayandar to Vasai at 10:30 pm.
The temporary increase is aimed at passengers travelling to the Uttan church while the festival is under way. It also provides a scheduled alternative to the longer highway journey between the two urban areas, particularly for residents seeking to avoid road congestion during peak festival travel.
Passengers seeking further information about the additional services or ticket reservations can contact the Vasai centre on 8624063900 or the Bhayandar centre on 8600314710, the report said. The additional trips will operate as part of the festival-period schedule announced by the shipping company.
