Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
The state-of-the-art exhibition and convention centre established by City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) in Vashi, is all set to put Navi Mumbai in the MICE map of India. The exhibition and convention centre was inaugurated about six months back, and CIDCO is in the process of appointing an operator for managing it. “We will be giving it to those who are in the exhibition and conferencing industry. Two years ago we had floated a tender but did not get a good response. Very soon we will be floating another tender for appointment of an operator. We expect within six months for the operator to come in place and take charge of operating and running the property,” said Dr Mohan Ninawe, senior PR officer, CIDCO.
Setup with a project cost of Rs 256 crore, it is a green building that has been certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and LEED. The plot covers 7.41 hectares, includes an exhibition centre of 24,288 sq m, a convention centre of 11,965 sq m, open exhibition area, a large food court, art gallery and cafetaria, etc. The convention centre includes four conference rooms, banquet hall with kitchen, and a large auditorium that can seat 700 delegates.
This convention centre is about 25 minutes drive from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. CIDCO is in the process of issuing RPF to the four bidders for the airport. “They will submit their proposals after six months, which we will give to ICAO. After we get permission of ICAO we will finalise our partner, by year end. Meantime we have started the pre development work. We are expecting that by 2019 the first aircraft will take off,” added Dr Ninawe.
Another location adjacent to the airport area will be leased out to the hospitality industry. According to Dr Ninawe, big hotel companies like The Taj Group and The Leela have shown interest in setting up properties near the airport.