Hindu advocacy group demands Mumbai-Mangaluru passenger water transport

A group of lawyers in India called Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad has asked the state government to start passenger boats along the coast.

They want boats to run from Mumbai to Mangaluru, stopping at places like Konkan, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Goa.

The group says roads and trains are too crowded, and local people often struggle to get train tickets.

They think sea travel should be for everyone, not just people on expensive cruise ships.

Traveling by sea is much cheaper than flying, they say.

According to a government report, sea travel costs about Rs 1.80 per kilometer, while flying costs Rs 72 per kilometer.

The group believes boats are a low-cost alternative to building expensive highways and toll roads.

They mention an old ferry service in Maharashtra that used to work well, and a ferry in Gujarat that has carried millions of passengers and vehicles.

The group has asked the maritime board to focus on helping everyday people instead of only commercial freight and cruise liners.