Cruise terminal plan gets MbPT push
? Technical proposal cleared; likely locations: off Oyster Rock; Ferry
Wharf; Radio Club
RAKSHIT SONAWANE
T HE move to create a world-class cruise terminal on the eastern water front
of Mumbai has gained momentum, with the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) clearing
the technical proposal for appointing consultants for the Rs 152-crore
project.
The proposal was submitted by Zebec Marine Consultants (India) Services
Private Ltd in consortium with Dermello Ajamali and Partners, Florida, USA,
which has create cruise terminals at places like New York and St Petersberg.
The technical bid was cleared by the MbPT on Monday last, subject to the
approval of the Central government. The financial bid will be opened soon.
The project aims to develop a cruise terminal that will offer facilities for
berthing luxury liners, yachts, ferry terminal and shopping malls. A
decision on the exact location has been left to Ze bec and Dermello. The
options for the locations include: Off Oyster Rock (near Sassoon Dock,
Colaba); Ferry Wharf (north of Victoria Dock); Radio Club (near Gateway of
India); and Sewree mudflats.
The consultants will be responsible for a geo-technical survey, port traffic
projections, marine architecture, urban redevelopment, public place
planning, waterfront development, convention centre, shopping malls,
entertainment centre and structuring of the project.
MbPT had invited bids in February 2005 to create an offshore facility for
tourists on a BOT (build-operatetransfer) basis. Eight firms had responded,
but only three of them fulfilled the requirements. The project got delayed
over the definition of the cruise terminal. While the authorities wanted the
bidders to create both facilities-ferry service point and facilities for
luxury liners, yachts, water sports and malls, some bidders had a difference
of opinion. The ten ders got discharged in July.
“Besides handling cargo, the Mumbai port is the premier port for handling
cruise and passenger ships in India,” an official said. “Cruise shipping is
growing globally at the rate of 12 per cent per annum and is poised to grow
at a higher rate in India, particularly in Mumbai due to various factors
like economic growth in and around the city, increase in international
tourist arrivals, growing interest of cruise ship operators and pleasure
craft operators in the Indian coastline. A cruise ship, home-ported in
Mumbai, presently offers four cruises in a week. Besides, 31 international
cruise calls are expected in Mumbai during 2006-07 as against 21 during
2005-06.”
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