Coastal ferry service planned between Mangaluru and Maravanthe to ease NH-66 congestion

Bengaluru ;The Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) has unveiled an ambitious plan to introduce a dedicated coastal passenger ferry service connecting Mangaluru with Maravanthe in Udupi district, offering a much-needed alternative to the heavily congested National Highway-66. According to a report by media the proposed ferry corridor will span nearly 110 km from Mangaluru to Maravanthe in Kundapura taluk and is expected to significantly ease road traffic while promoting sustainable coastal transport.

Under the proposal, ferries will operate with five intermediate stops at Old Mangaluru Port, Hejmadi, Malpe, Kota and Maravanthe. The project is estimated to cost ₹37.8 crore and will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The selected private operator will be granted a concession period of 20 years to run and maintain the service.

KMB officials presented details of the coastal ferry service and other maritime tourism initiatives during the Coastal Karnataka Tourism Conclave organised by the Karnataka Tourism Department. As part of the plan, dedicated jetties are proposed at five strategic locations, including Maravanthe, one of Karnataka’s most popular beach destinations. The project aims not only to improve passenger mobility but also to boost coastal tourism by providing a scenic and efficient travel option along the Arabian Sea coastline.

Officials noted that NH-66, which runs parallel to much of the proposed ferry route, witnesses intense traffic congestion, particularly during weekends and tourist seasons. The introduction of a passenger ferry corridor is expected to reduce travel time, lower carbon emissions and offer commuters a safer and more comfortable alternative to road travel.

Water metro project for Mangaluru

Alongside the coastal ferry proposal, the KMB also outlined plans for a Water Metro project in and around Mangaluru, with an estimated investment of ₹180 crore. The project is designed to cover key waterways within the Mangaluru City Corporation limits and integrate water-based transport into the city’s urban mobility framework.

As per the proposal, the Water Metro corridor will connect the Malavoor Bridge near Mangaluru International Airport to the Jappinamogaru Bridge and Old Mangaluru Port via the Gurupura and Netravathi rivers. The project envisions seamless integration of ferry services with city buses and intermediate public transport, creating a smooth, multimodal urban transport system.

KMB officials highlighted that the presence of two major rivers—Gurupura and Netravathi—gives Mangaluru strong potential for a PPP-based Water Metro model. Such a system, they said, would be cost-effective, environmentally sustainable and capable of providing efficient last-mile connectivity.

If implemented, both the coastal ferry service and the Water Metro project are expected to transform passenger transport in coastal Karnataka, reduce dependence on road infrastructure and strengthen the region’s tourism and economic activity. The proposals are currently at the planning stage, with further feasibility studies and stakeholder consultations expected in the coming months.