Commuters on Mumbai’s Borivali–Gorai ferry route have voiced concerns over safety at the newly developed jetty, where Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry services are set to begin. While the upcoming service aims to transport both vehicles and passengers across Gorai Creek efficiently, locals say several safety issues remain unresolved.
Decline in Safety Oversight
According to residents, monitoring personnel who previously managed crowd control and ensured life-jacket compliance are no longer present at the jetty. A Mid-day report highlighted that last year, the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) stationed staff on-site to prevent overcrowding and check that passengers wore life jackets before boarding. Commuters now claim these safety checks are being largely ignored.
Rossi D’Souza, a Gorai resident and member of the Gorai Gaothan Panchayat, said, “Earlier, personnel were present at the jetty to regulate the crowd and ensure that everyone followed the rules. Nowadays, I rarely see any security staff near the jetty during peak morning or evening hours. Because of this, passengers often board without wearing life vests and overcrowding is not being controlled.”
Narrowed Access Raises Concerns
Beyond staffing issues, commuters have also raised alarms over the narrowing of the access road leading to the jetty due to ongoing construction. They warn that limited roadway space could delay emergency response in case of incidents, posing additional safety risks.
Authorities Respond
Addressing the concerns, an executive engineer from the Maharashtra Maritime Board said the current situation is temporary and that corrective measures are being implemented. Authorities emphasized that once the construction is completed and staffing is reinstated, the jetty will meet all safety standards for the upcoming Ro-Ro ferry operations.
If properly managed, the Borivali–Gorai jetty could soon provide a faster, safer travel option for commuters while addressing longstanding congestion along the ferry route.
Source: The Free Press Journal
