A full fledged cruise service is set to begin between Mumbai and Surat. The services between Bandra-Worli sealink and Surat will be inaugurated on November 10 at Hazira. The cruise will have 20 rooms and can accommodate 250 people.

The cruise in its initial stages will operate only once a week and will then increase later depending upon the depending upon the requirement. The cruise will operate from Bandra at 5 pm on Thursdays, and will arrive at Hazira port at 9 am the next day. And the return journey will begin at 5 pm on Friday from Hazira, reaching Bandra at 9 am the next morning. The tickets will be priced at Rs 3,000-5,000 per passenger.

In order to facilitate smooth services, Hazira port has made special arrangements like a maritime terminal and other infrastructure.

&ldquoWe have got all the necessary clearance from both the Maharasthra and the Gujarat maritime boards for the ferry services. To start with, it will operate once a week. Tickets have been priced between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per person,&rdquo reports quoted Sanjeev Agrawal, CEO of SSR Marine Services, as saying.  

Captain S Das, CEO OF ESSAR Bulk Terminal, said, &ldquoWe have developed a marine terminal and infrastructure required to handle such passenger vessels at our Hazira terminal. We also have plans to build ancillary services, including a marina promenade and ship repair facility at Hazira,&rdquo the reports added.

While the two states are already well connected by air, road and rail, this cruise is aimed at strengthening the existing business ties between Maharashtra and Gujarat.