This will be the second such project in the country after the Kochi International Marina in Kerala — the only operational marina in India.
The development of marinas on Maharashtra's 720km-long but untapped coastline may finally get a much-needed boost, with the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) planning to develop them in Mandwa and Belapur, respectively.
This will be the second such project in the country after the Kochi International Marina in Kerala — the only operational marina in India.
Marinas, which have facilities for sheltered anchoring and mooring for speed boats, luxury boats and yachts, can also serve as tourist, shopping and leisure destinations. The proposed marinas at Mandwa in Raigad and Belapur in Navi Mumbai will help decongest the present anchorage near the Gateway of India, which is also a security threat, considering the proximity with defence establishments.
Apart from helping the uber-wealthy anchor their vessels, these facilities, which are being planned near the proposed terminals for the east coast water transport project, will also serve as tourist destinations. They will boost economic activity by creating opportunities for ancillary businesses, such as ship repair and maintenance facilities, boost the luxury yacht business and promote cruise tourism.
"We have invited bids for the marina project," MMB CEO Asheesh Sharma told dna, adding that the marina would come up on the waterway near the water transport project terminal in Mandwa.
"The marina will be designed in such a way that space on the leeward side of the breakwaters (to be constructed for the water transport project) is used for it… this is because the marina also requires the presence of sheltered waters," noted Sharma, adding that the facility would be bigger than the one in Kochi, which can berth over 30 yachts and boats.
The eastern coast water transport project, which will have vessels with roll-on, roll-off facilities for both passengers and vehicles, will operate at Ferry Wharf (Bhau cha Dhakka), Mandwa near Alibaug and Nerul in Navi Mumbai.
"The marina will help decongest the Mumbai port (near Gateway of India), where anchorage facilities for these vessels are (now) available," said Sharma, adding that in order to make the project viable for the operator, they had decided against introducing a revenue sharing model.
The marina by Cidco will be spread over 12,000sqm in Belapur's sectors 11, 14 and 15. It will have a garden, an amphitheatre, a mangrove walk, food plazas, boat rides and gazebos among other features. Work on this marina is likely to commence early next year.
A part of the marina plot — 4,000sqm — has also been earmarked for the water transport project.
The marina will have facilities for anchoring speed boats with a berthing space for 25 boats and a basic maintenance facility and refuelling station.
Apart from Mandwa and Belapur, the MMB had also shortlisted sites in Vasai, Dharamtar and Malad creeks for construction of marinas.
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