Mumbai port authority shortlists six firms to plan eastern sea-front facelift

Looking to open up a portion of Mumbai’s eastern waterfront, until now locked away from the public for port operations, the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has shortlisted six design firms from across the world to prepare a master plan.

Looking to open up a portion of Mumbai’s eastern waterfront, until now locked away from the public for port operations, the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has shortlisted six design firms from across the world to prepare a master plan.

The list of shortlisted companies includes design consultants from countries such as Singapore, Spain, Italy and Hong Kong, and two Indian planning companies. The consortia will present a concept design, approach, methodology and financial proposal to the MbPT, which will then pick the one most suited to the project.

Of the 742 hectares land on the city’s eastern side under the MbPT, the agency has identified 342 hectares to be developed and opened for public recreation. Besides waterfront activities, the MbPT is looking for commercial, residential, entertainment, retail, and hospitality avenues in the master plan.

Currently, the eastern coastline, with 28 kilometres from Colaba to Wadala locked under MbPT, does not feature prominently on the city’s landscape.

“Of the 342 hectares, 165 hectares are immediately available. So, we want the consultants to prepare a detailed master plan for the 165 hectares and a conceptual plan for the entire 342 hectares. The shortlisted consortia will have to submit their plans by November 15. Our evaluation committee will see the design presentations on November 22 and pick the one that’s most viable,” an MbPT official said.

Consultants are expected to integrate smart city elements in the master plan, an MbPT official said.

However, to self-finance the project with a full cost recovery, the MbPT has also directed the consultants to suggest a model to maximise the commercial value of land parcels. The MbPT is floating a separate department for port land and township development within the organisation to be the nodal authority for the master plan.