The Mumbai Port Authority plans to develop a marina in the sea, moving away from its earlier land-based public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to Chairman Rajiv Jalota. This new initiative will be funded by the port authority itself and executed under the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model. The project is in its advanced stages, with necessary clearances expected soon.
The original plan aimed to build the marina at Princess Dock, where private investors were invited to contribute Rs 5.75 billion to develop facilities for docking at least 300 pleasure boats and yachts. However, after two rounds of unsuccessful bids, the authority decided to shift its focus to the sea-based marina.
This initiative is part of Mumbai’s larger waterfront regeneration plan, as the port faces limitations in expanding cargo operations due to its urban location. Developing leisure activities on the waterfront aligns with the city's broader vision for urban revitalisation. South Mumbai, home to the port's land holdings, is a prime location, with significant economic potential for the port’s assets.
With more than 7,500 km of coastline, India has a limited number of marinas. Mumbai, with its large number of privately owned leisure boats, presents a ripe market for this facility. Currently, around 200 small boats are moored near the Gateway of India at any given time due to the absence of a designated marina.
The marina is expected to boost tourism and support the city’s growth, offering world-class services to align Mumbai with global waterfront cities. (ET)
