The MSRDC officials confirmed the site location, but refused to divulge more.

According to the proposal, the project will have a terminal building, roads, bus bays, pavements and walkways. It will provide the facility of hovercraft and catamarans for passengers. It will take 18 months to be completed.

Though some trustees of the MbPT have raised objections that the new site will affect traffic of the proposed International Cruise terminal at Jamshedji Bunder near Oyster Rock, the MSRDC officials claim that the project will not have any major effect on it. The corporation has already invited bids for the project and tenders for the same will be opened on June 30. It plans to carry out the project on BOT basis and has requested the MbPT to charge only a nominal lease rent for the area.

However, the proposal has created a storm among heritage conservationists. The Urban Development Research Institute (UDRI), which had in 2004 carried out a detailed study on the eastern waterfront and its development, says the site near Gateway is not feasible. “There is no space for parking or approach road to the terminal. Moreover, it will destroy the heritage and beauty of Gateway. The parapet wall is an integral part of the monument and it cannot be demolished for the terminal,” said architect and UDRI planner Pankaj Joshi.

According to the UDRI report, the terminal should be developed at the northern shore near Bhau Cha Dhakka or Dockyard Road that has ample space and potential along with parking facilities and approach road.

... contd.