The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has approved a series of infrastructure measures covering Mumbai’s waterways, western waterfront and key maritime facilities, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Bandra Bandstand, Radio Club and the Mandwa passenger jetty.
The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Fisheries and Ports Minister and Maharashtra Maritime Board chairman Nitesh Rane. The measures are aimed at strengthening water-based transport, improving public waterfront facilities and upgrading maritime infrastructure across Mumbai and the Konkan region.
Water Metro tendering to move ahead
The board has directed officials to conduct the tendering process for the proposed Mumbai Water Metro in a transparent and competitive manner while following applicable rules.
The project is planned as an additional public transport option for Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with the potential to shift some passenger movement from roads to waterways. However, the latest decision relates to the tendering process and does not indicate that services are ready to commence. Implementation will depend on subsequent bidding and execution.
Bandstand and Radio Club projects
At Bandra Bandstand, the board has approved maintenance and repair works covering the garden, benches, amphitheatre and other public amenities. The facilities may be managed through outsourcing.
The board has also approved issuing a work order for the Radio Club project in south Mumbai, with officials instructed to complete the work within the stipulated timeline and maintain prescribed quality standards.
Mandwa jetty to be strengthened
The passenger jetty at Mandwa in Raigad has received approval for repair and strengthening work. The project is expected to address safety requirements and accommodate increasing passenger traffic on the Mumbai-Mandwa route, which is also an important link to Alibaug and the Konkan region.
Dighi shipbuilding cluster
The MMB has also approved a greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi in Raigad, with tenders scheduled to be submitted by August 20. The proposed facility is intended to attract investment in shipbuilding and related industries while creating common infrastructure and employment opportunities.
Land acquisition and an approach road for the Goa Shipyard project at Satkondi in Ratnagiri have also been approved.
The meeting additionally focused on increasing MMB revenue through better utilisation of its land and other assets. Officials were directed to expedite pending tenders, projects and administrative procedures.
Together, the decisions signal a wider effort to expand Mumbai and Maharashtra’s use of waterways for transport, tourism, commercial activity and maritime industries.
Source: The Times of India
