Wooden boats still in use at the Gateway; authorities say incident due to collision

At the Gateway of India, traditional wooden boats are still in use, whereas in other cities, speedboats, water taxis and catamarans dominate the scene. Around 80 wooden boats operate on routes to Elephanta and Mandwa, accommodating an average of 2,000 passengers daily—a number that increases on weekends and holidays.

According to Mumbai Collector Sanjay Yadav, the accident was due to a collision rather than issues with the boat itself. “Thousands of passengers use the water transport service daily, and safety measures are in place. This particular boat was equipped with life jackets, ensuring the rescue of 75 passengers. Agencies such as the Navy, disaster response teams, and local fishermen acted promptly to minimise the impact… To question the safety of traditional boats based solely on this incident would be unfair.”

However, the transition to modern vessels is a slow process at the Gateway of India, where there are only three catamarans operating at present. Citing the challenges, Sardar Mirza Jamaluddin Mahadkar, president of the Gateway Elephanta Jal Vahatuk Sahakari Sanstha, said, “One catamaran costs over Rs 7 crore and there is no government subsidy for water transport. Pointing out the safety of wooden boats is incorrect as they operate worldwide, with due diligence taken. In my 50 years of experience — I’m 70 years old now — no accidents have been reported.”

Mahdakar also called for greater government support to speed up the transition. “The government should provide interest-free loans, which would help accelerate the move to catamarans. At present, ticket prices range from Rs 50 to 100 for the Elephanta route, with the government taking Rs 20 to 30 from each ticket for insurance and other purposes,” he said.

Defending the vessel involved in the collision, Manik Gursal, CEO of the Maharashtra Maritime Board, said it was due to the Navy speedboat colliding with the ferry and not because of any fault of the vessel. “The boat was adhering to all safety norms and was not overcrowded,” he said, pointing out that the Inland Vessels Act does not specify a maximum operational age for boats, unlike the 15-year cap for road vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act. “The boat had a valid license, which is renewed monthly,” he said.

However, experts argue that modern boats equipped with advanced safety features could reduce the risk of such accidents. “Wooden boats are inherently more vulnerable, and collisions can lead to severe consequences,” said a person associated with water taxis, on the condition of anonymity.

Efforts to modernise Mumbai’s water transport have encountered significant hurdles. For instance, the Nayantara XI, a state-of-the-art water taxi launched in February 2023, ceased operations after two months due to damage from underwater rocks near the Gateway of India. High ticket prices and resistance from traditional ferry operators, who fear losing business, further hindered its success.

Previous accidents

• March 14, 2020: A ferry boat capsized in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai, 88 people were rescued.
• October 2018: A boat carrying a delegation to the proposed Shivaji memorial site capsized, resulting in one fatality.
• 1947 Ramdas Ship Disaster: On July 17, 1947, the SS Ramdas, a passenger ship bound for Rewas, capsized near Gull Island, killing 724 people on board.