India, March 12 -- The data for Alibag is neither updated on Census India nor Wikipedia. As of 2011, the data shows a population of 2.36 lakh living in 212 villages and four towns around the principal town of Alibag, which is 19km from the Mandwa Jetty. The 2021 Census update never happened. From the growth one senses all around, as well as voters registered, it would be fair to presume that the current population is about 6 lakh.

It was Covid-19 and the launch of the RoRo service, which ferried cars back and forth between Mumbai and Mandwa, that presented Alibag as a convenient second home. The Atal Setu has reduced driving time and the announcement of a second, smaller bridge to connect the rest of the route by road to Rewas will soon ...