Suvarnadurg Shipping and Marine Services has added Ro-Ro boat trips between Vasai and Bhayandar during the Velankanni festival period, giving devotees travelling to the Velankanni Church in Uttan an alternative to the longer road route through the national highway.
The additional services have been announced for the festival, which is being observed from August 29 to September 8. The festival will culminate on Tuesday, September 8, and is expected to draw devotees from Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayandar, Thane and Mumbai to the church in the Bhatebandar area of Uttan.
According to a report by Loksatta, two additional trips have been added in both the morning and evening sessions to the regular Ro-Ro schedule. The service connects the Vasai Fort jetty with Bhayandar, allowing passengers to avoid the longer road journey between the two areas. There is no direct road connection between Vasai and Bhayandar, and travellers otherwise have to take a circuitous route via the national highway.
The temporary increase in services follows requests from devotees seeking easier access to the church during the festival. The Velankanni Church at Uttan is located in a Christian-majority area and is visited by people from both Vasai and Bhayandar during the annual celebrations. The additional boat services are intended to support passenger movement during the period of increased religious travel.
The published schedule lists a morning departure from Vasai Fort to Bhayandar at 6:30 a.m., followed by a return trip from Bhayandar to Vasai at 7 a.m. The evening schedule includes a departure from Vasai Fort at 9:45 p.m. and a return service from Bhayandar at 10:30 p.m.
The operator has asked passengers seeking further information about the additional Ro-Ro trips or ticket reservations to contact its Vasai centre at 8624063900 or its Bhayandar centre at 8600314710. Passengers should confirm availability, fares and booking requirements directly with the service centres before travelling, as the report does not provide fare details or capacity information.
The extra services come as the annual celebrations continue at Uttan and as residents look for alternatives to road travel on a corridor where the absence of a direct connection can lengthen journeys between the two cities. The additional schedule is linked to the current festival period and is expected to operate alongside the regular Ro-Ro service.
