Gateway-Elephanta, JNPA, Mora-Bhaucha Dhakka, Karanja-Revas routes remain affected

Uran: Even after eight days, passenger traffic on the Gateway-Elephanta, JNPA, Mora-Bhaucha Dhakka, and Karanja-Revas Sea routes remained disrupted due to the persistent warning issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). This ongoing situation, resulting from continuous heavy rain, has severely impacted launch drivers and hundreds of businesses, depriving them of their daily livelihood.

Adverse weather conditions, including stormy winds and heavy rain since last Thursday, have necessitated the issuance of warning signal No. 3, significantly affecting passenger traffic on the JNPA, Mora-Bhaucha Dhakka, and Karanja-Revas sea routes.

During the monsoon season, 7-8 launches operate daily from Gateway of India, and on Sundays and holidays, 20-25 launches carry about 1,000 to 1,500 tourists to see the Elephanta Caves. Additionally, 2,500 to 3,000 tourists arrive daily at the harbour from Gateway of India to enjoy a 30-minute sea cruise. However, this daily tourist traffic has come to a complete standstill since Thursday due to the warning signal No. 3 being hoisted at all ports.

As a precautionary measure, due to high waves and foamy sea conditions, maritime traffic between Gateway of India and Elephanta is frequently closed for indefinite periods.

This situation has forced thousands of local and foreign tourists, who visit the island even during the rainy season, to turn back. Consequently, not a single tourist can visit Elephanta Island to see the caves.

Iqbal Mukadam, President of the Gateway-Elephanta Water Transport Association, said “Ferry launch owners are facing daily financial losses amounting to lakhs of rupees. Gateway-Mumbai Port Inspector Gunjan commented that the situation would remain unchanged until the warning signal No. 3 is lowered.”

 Due to the lack of tourists, business has come to a standstill for the past five days. Local businessmen report that those dependent on tourism are facing a starvation crisis.

The Mumbai Water Transport Industrial Co-operative Society has decided to halt passenger traffic on the Bhaucha Dhakka to Mora sea route since Thursday evening.
Anil Parab of the Mumbai Water Transport Industrial Co-operative Society informed that passenger traffic on the Bhaucha Dhakka to Mora and JNPA sea routes has been disrupted for five days.

With the Revas-Karanja sea route also closed, around 2,000 passengers and workers who travel daily on the JNPA, Mora-Bhaucha Dhakka, and Karanja-Revas sea routes have been greatly inconvenienced.
The suspension of boat services has forced passengers and workers to rely on railways, ST buses, and private vehicles to reach their workplaces. The stormy and adverse weather has also severely impacted local fishing activities, leading to a shortage of fish in local markets.
Currently, thousands of passengers and tourists are eagerly waiting for the red warning signal to be lowered and for maritime routes to resume normal operations.