Two more floatels arrive, likely to begin ops by April 2018

Two floating restaurants that will be anchored off the Gateway of India have arrived in Mumbai from Turkey. 

They are currently at Indira Docks where there are being refurbished by the private operator appointed by Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT).

The MbPT wants both the floatels to be made operational in the coming two months considering the holiday season begins from April 2018. "If we see the financial viability, we want the operator to start in the coming two months as from June to September the operations will be shut due to monsoon and if it is delayed now it will be pushed to October 2018," an official from MbPT said, and added, "The two floatels are being refurbished considering the requirements of where they will be anchored and also the water levels. They have a minimum capacity of 120 people on board at a time."

The MbPT has been focusing on introducing several facilities for tourists considering its revenue from cargo has remained stagnant. Facilities like construction of international cruise terminals and floatels are being considered by MbPT for revenue generation.

"Our revenue from cargo has been stagnant of late and we have realised that opening up more land for tourists and the public in general will also be beneficial in terms of revenue generation. For the floatel there is an agreement with the operator to share a certain percentage from the profit derived via operations of the floatels."

The MbPT also has plans to introduce floating restaurants at Nariman Point but was denied permission by the Bombay high court citing objections related to security by the Indian Navy. Following this, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had also criticised the Indian Navy for denying the no objection certificate (NOC) for a floatel at Nariman Point. Meanwhile, there are currently three floatels operational in Bandra near the Bandra-Worli Sea-Link.

BOOST TO TOURISM

• The two floating restaurants have arrived from Turkey.
   
• They are currently being refurbished at Indira Docks.
   
• The vessels have a minimum capacity of 120 people on board at a time.
   
• The floatels will likely be operational in the coming months to cater to the upcoming holiday season.