Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has shown a positive approach towards developing cruise infrastructure in Mumbai. The Port Trust already has one international terminal which welcomes around 30,000 to 40,000 foreign tourists per year.
Speaking exclusively to Express TravelWorld, Ravi Parmar, chairman, Mumbai Port Trust said, “There is a good potential and demand for cruise tourism in India. As of now we have an international terminal which receives around 50 to 60 vessels per year and we welcome thousands of international tourists. Presently, I think the structure is a major hindrance in developing cruise tourism, once the structure is in place we will surely think about developing this segment.”
The MbPT chairman has already expressed his pro-touristic visions by planning to develop the Kanhoji Angre Lighthouse for tourism and to provide connectivity. Located 20 km into the sea from the Gateway of India, the lighthouse is situated on Kennery Island, which also houses a fort built by the Portuguese. MbPT has contributed INR 30 lakhs towards the develoment of Kanhoji Angre Island as a natural heritage tourist destination under its CSR initiatives. Also, MbPT has recently developed the old clock tower and the Sassoon Dock entrance gate- which is said to be the oldest and the first dock gates in the country- for tourism.
Mumbai Port Trust has also spearheaded a project to enhance the connectivity between Mumbai and Alibaug, which is one of the most popular weekend getaway from Mumbai. Parmar added, “We are planning to develop the water connectivity between Mumbai and Alibaug. We will introduce fast moving catamarans which is 55 metres long between Bhaucha Dhakka and Mandva. In a later stage we will also launch this service between Mumbai and Nerul.”