Mumbai to get electric boats for lounge-like commute to Alibaug, Navi Mumbai airport
The Hindu
Mumbai will soon host electric boats for a luxury commute to Alibaug, revolutionising travel with silent, eco-friendly rides.
The noisy and sometimes frightful commute from the Gateway of India in Mumbai to Alibaug by boat is about to change for the better. JalVimana, an Indian company, plans to deploy electric boats powered by Swedish hydrofoil technology on the route. The boats (P-12 Business model) have been shipped from Sweden by electric vessel builder Candela, and are expected to arrive in Mumbai soon.
Candela claims that the P-12 glides over waves, with passengers insulated from both motion and noise, offering a cushioned, lounge experience.
To achieve this experience, the Candela P-12 uses computer-guided hydrofoils, or underwater wings, to raise its hull above the water, reducing energy consumption, eliminating wake and slamming, and running silently. Its batteries can be re-charged like that of an electric car.
In June 2025, JalVimana CEO Niraj Thakur announced that the company has purchased, and will operate an initial fleet of 11 P-12 vessels, with plans to increase the size of the fleet over time.
The initial batch of boats is expected to be deployed on the Gateway of India to Alibaug and the Elephanta Island routes as an alternative to diesel ferries. In future, the Candela P-12 is expected to cater to people travelling from central Mumbai to the new airport at Navi Mumbai, bringing down the travel time from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes.
The boats were commissioned on March 27 in Stockholm, Frihamnen, in Sweden, and have been shipped to Mumbai.
Good Friday in Belthangady featured solemn observances at St. Lawrence Cathedral, led by Bishop James Patteril, with thousands attending.
Palakkad Division exceeds freight target, achieving a record 7.34 million tonnes in 2025-26, reflecting robust regional growth.
Coimbatore Corporation has collected ₹472 crore in property tax for 2025–26, achieving 89% of its target so far.
A NIMHANS review highlights the lasting impact of child suicides on parents and mental health professionals, urging better support systems.
People who distribute food to poor and needy in Hyderabad are concerned of potential LPG cylinder shortages, risking meal preparations for the poor and needy they serve daily.
Vishu Mahajan assumes office as Thoothukudi Collector
Rangayana's 'Chinnara Mela' summer camp for children runs from April 14 to May 10, 2026, in Mysuru.
West Bengal is gearing up for assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee will face her toughest challenge, given the anti-incumbency factor of three terms. The BJP, in 2021, had cemented its position as the primary opposition, winning 77 seats to the Trinamool’s 215 seats. This time, unusually, but no longer surprisingly, the Election Commission has become a key character in the political narrative. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ended up deleting more than 60 lakh voters. And in many constituencies, the number of voter deletions is greater than the margins of victory in previous elections. Another issue is the mass transfers in the state bureaucracy, which are unprecedented, and were challenged in court by the TMC. Mamata has used these developments to frame the polls as a fight between a besieged Bengal and Bengali ‘asmita’ on one side, and a BJP-led Centre on the other. The BJP has been playing the anti-migrant card to polarise voters, and has also sought to target the TMC on corruption and misgovernance. Whose narrative will gain the upper-hand? What is happening with the lakhs of voter deletions? How will the SIR impact the outcome?
India quietly commissions the INS Aridhaman, its third nuclear-powered submarine, enhancing its strategic defense capabilities.
Karnataka governor asks State to “re-examine” switch from marks to grades for third language in SSLC
Karnataka Governor urges re-evaluation of the state's move from marks to grades for SSLC third language, citing educational concerns.
Mumbai will soon host electric boats for a luxury commute to Alibaug, revolutionising travel with silent, eco-friendly rides.
Trial one-way traffic around KBR Park in Hyderabad on Sunday; no U-turns, follow diversions for smoother movement.
Israel under fire as Trump warns of destroying Iranian infrastructure; BJP, Congress release candidate lists for T.N. Assembly polls, and more in The Hindu’s top news of April 3, 2026.