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Spread across at least two hectares, the bids for constructing a modern cruise terminal has been floated by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT).
The first phase of the modernised Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) is expected to be ready by 2018, with the second and last phases set to be operational in 2019.
Spread across at least two hectares, the bids for constructing a modern cruise terminal has been floated by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). “The terminal will have similar facilities as the airport. The designs are ready. We are going ahead with the construction of the terminal,” said Sanjay Bhatia, Chairman of MbPT.
With the estimated cost of the project pegged at Rs 197 crore, MbPT will execute the project on an engineering, procurement and construction basis or on cash contract. “Once ready, the operation and maintenance of the facilities at the cruise terminal will be on a public private partnership basis,” said Bhatia.
According to the plan, during the initial year of implementation, facilities at the existing terminal at Ballard Estate will be upgraded and used for 7 tourism operations. A portion of the existing terminal will also be demolished as part of the larger modernisation plan. Once the new terminal is ready, the cruise liners will be shifted so that the existing structure can be revamped.
A luggage check-in area, fast food centres, restaurants, coffee shops, branded retail outlets, security, among others, are some of the facilities passengers can look forward to. As Mumbai is a hub for cruise tourism, there was a need to upgrade infrastructure not only in the city, but across the country. Therefore, the Ministry of Shipping has been focusing on promoting cruise tourism.
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