An insight into the gaining popularity of ferries becoming an important mode of transport

Successful waterfront developments in places like London combine public spaces and culture with residential and commercial development to ensure economic sustainability

DEVIKA SAIGAL CEO OF M2M FERRIES

With over 7,500 kilometres of coastline and almost 20,000 kilometres of navigable inland waters, water transport is the key to economic and tourism development. India's waterfront landscape is fast evolving and transforming itself in ways unimagined. Water-borne transport is a cleaner form of transport, often cutting travel time with a direct route compared to roadways. M2M Ferries is a classic case of a strong private/ public partnership exhibiting all the above advantages. Earlier the Raigad belt was only accessible by vehicular movement, and by water for only eight months of the year. The positive impact of this year-round operation includes cutting down road travel time by 75 per cent for both locals and tourists.