Mumbai is set to introduce a new mode of public transport with the launch of an electric speedboat service connecting the city to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). The initiative aims to significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and the major port hub while offering a cleaner and faster commuting option. Authorities said the service will complement existing public transport systems in the city, including local trains, the metro, and the monorail, as part of efforts to expand efficient mobility solutions across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Before the service becomes operational, the electric speedboats will undergo final testing for about a week. According to JNPA’s water transport supervisor, Captain Balasaheb Pawar, the ongoing trials are meant to ensure that the vessels meet safety and performance standards before they are opened to the public. Officials said the evaluation phase will focus on verifying operational reliability and confirming that the boats can handle daily passenger traffic efficiently.

The testing process includes assessments of the boats’ speed, passenger capacity, and overall technical functionality. Authorities are examining how the vessels perform under regular operating conditions to ensure smooth and secure transport across the water route. Once these checks are completed successfully, the authorities plan to organise a public showcase of the electric speedboats later this month, after which the service could be formally launched.

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The project is part of a broader push to modernise water transport infrastructure in Maharashtra. The electric water taxi initiative was originally launched in 2022 by Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal but has yet to begin operations due to pending safety and performance clearances. The new service is expected to particularly benefit workers commuting daily to the JNPA port, many of whom currently depend on traditional wooden boats, which are slower and often more expensive for regular travel.

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