Maharashtra Ports Development and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane has said that commuters will be able to travel from Colaba to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) in just 16 minutes by water taxi once the proposed Radio Club jetty is completed by December 2027. He also announced plans to redevelop Mumbai’s iconic Taraporewala Aquarium into a world-class marine attraction with an investment of around Rs 900 crore.
Speaking about the state’s maritime infrastructure plans, Rane said work on the Rs 196 crore Radio Club jetty project will resume after the monsoon. A new contractor has been appointed after the previous agency was removed due to project delays.
According to the minister, the jetty near the Gateway of India will be linked to the water taxi terminal at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, significantly reducing travel time between South Mumbai and the airport. He added that Vadhvan Port in Palghar will also feature a water taxi terminal and that the proposed Mumbai Water Metro, expected to be introduced from 2028, will connect destinations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Nariman Point, Juhu, Worli and Versova.
Rane said Maharashtra has also introduced its first dedicated shipbuilding, shipbreaking and ship repair policy to encourage investment in the maritime sector. He added that the Fisheries Department has granted agriculture status to the fisheries sector, enabling fishermen to access benefits available to farmers. According to him, the department’s annual budget has increased from Rs 212 crore to Rs 1,240 crore.
On road infrastructure, the minister said work on the remaining stretch of the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Indapur is expected to be completed within the next 45 days, allowing motorists to use the route during the Ganpati festival.
Rane also outlined plans to promote tourism in Sindhudurg by encouraging investments in hospitality and wellness projects, while stating that a Disneyland-themed attraction is being planned for the district.
The minister further announced that the redevelopment of Taraporewala Aquarium is expected to begin with a groundbreaking ceremony by October. The project will replace the ageing facility with a modern marine attraction featuring around 38,000 varieties of fish, immersive visitor experiences, including scuba diving, and a distinctive architectural design overlooking Marine Drive.
“I’m not supposed to announce anything yet, but I can say it will be an iconic project,” Rane said.
“It will provide a very joyful experience. There will be around 38,000 different types of fishes, and visitors will also get a scuba diving experience,” he added.
“I have many memories of visiting the aquarium as a child. We want to recreate it as a landmark that every Mumbaikar will be proud of,” Rane said.
The ₹900 crore project will be jointly funded by the Maharashtra government, which will contribute ₹400 crore, and a private developer investing the remaining Rs 500 crore. Once completed, the redeveloped Taraporewala Aquarium is expected to emerge as a major marine education and tourism destination in Mumbai.
Source: The Free Press Journal
