India, Feb. 22 -- In a major boost to coastal connectivity ahead of the summer tourist rush and Holi travel season, the Maharashtra ports department has announced the launch of a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service between Mumbai and Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg district. The service is slated to begin on March 1, coinciding with the Shimga festival (Holi), when thousands travel from the metropolis to their home towns in the Konkan region.

The new water link- deploying the high-speed vessel M2M Princess- will cut travel time between the two places to around seven hours, down from more than 10 hours on the road. Vehicles including two-wheelers and four-wheelers will be able to board the ferry at Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) in Mumbai and di...