Reported By:
| Edited By: Sanjay Jog |Source: DNA |Updated: Feb 09, 2019, 06:05 AM IST
Mumbai Port Trust's (MbPT) proposal to develop eastern waterfront has kicked off a controversy. Some urban development experts and NGOs allege it will benefit the builders lobby and cause serious damage to the environment. However, in an interview with Sanjay Jog, MbPT chairman Sanjay Bhatia states that the intention is the development of tourism and Mumbai as the sea transport hub on the lines of cities in the world.
The proposal is at a nascent stage. Of the total 960 hectare of area covered by MbPT, nearly 282.57, hectare, which is 72 per cent, is being proposed for the eastern waterfront development comprising gardens, open spaces, grid network, amenities and tourism without disturbing the port activities. Only 66.28 hectare (23.49 per cent) for commercial use and 14.31 hectare (5.07 per cent) for residential purpose have been earmarked. 282.57 hectare is all commercial but of which majority is being given back to the city for the development of tourism, gardens, open spaces and amenities.
Mumbai port is fifth largest port in the country. In the proposed development, the area used in the past for coal handling and ship breaking will be used. The aim is to develop Mumbai port as cruise tourism and sea transport hub. This is being implemented on the lines of major ports of the world where metropolitan cities have come where along with cargo they have entered into cruise business. Mumbai Port will continue to handle cargo but do cruise business as done by Barcelona, Miami and other ports.
So MbPT has proposed sea tourism comprising 7 km of waterfront promenade, rope-way to Elephanta, eco park and recreation park and tourist garden on 52 hectare which can be increased up to 145 hectare after the clearance of ministry of environment and forests. All the proposed developments will be done without reclamation.
The consultants in its report had projected that of the 900 ships, which will arrive in various ports of India, 700 ships will come to Mumbai port in 20 to 25 years. During the cruise calendar October-April, 40 ships came last year while 150 are expected this year and 300 ships are lined up next year. MbPT has already completed the domestic cruise terminal while the international terminal will be ready by December this year and it can handle 10,000 passengers in three ships at a time. MbPT may have to go for new terminal in due course of time. This will create new jobs.
MbPT is not calling any developer but will mobilise Rs 4,000-5,000 crore by giving some of the land parcels on lease to government corporations. The same money will be ploughed back for the development of eastern waterfront.
The question does not arise. The commercial development is proposed only on 66 hectare. All latest studies show that wherever there are close commercial aereas the employment opportunities are very high. There will be smaller version of Bandra Kurla Complex on 66.28 hectare where there several gardens are also proposed. Only after seven years, MbPT will take a call of generating revenues on the lines of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) by auctioning plots here. But there will be no private developers until then.
As far as residential development is concerned, it will be done on 14.31 hectare at Wadala where the existing 20,000 slum dwellers will be rehabilitated.
Mumbai Port as I told you earlier is the fifth largest port in India with annual revenue of Rs 1,600 crore. The port annually handles 60 million tonnes of cargo, employees 10,000 persons. Besides, there are 40,000 pensioners. Mumbai Port will continue its operations as there is no question of closure. Port activities will continue unabated but simultaneously cruise business will also be pursued.
