Mumbai’s eastern waterfront to emerge as a hub for cruise tourism, leisure and connectivity, with a proposed ₹1,500-crore marina project by 2030
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Port Authority is advancing plans to transform Mumbai’s eastern waterfront into a more accessible, people-oriented destination through The Ballard Pier, a development combining cruise infrastructure with lifestyle, dining, retail and leisure experiences in the city’s historic harbour precinct.
Envisioned by the Mumbai Port Authority and operated by J M Baxi Ports & Logistics under a 30-year concession, The Ballard Pier brings together the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal and a curated lifestyle destination. The initiative reflects the Authority’s broader vision of expanding the port’s contribution beyond cargo handling and maritime trade to tourism, recreation and public engagement.
Chairperson of the Mumbai Port Authority, Dr. M. Angumuthu, said the project aims to reconnect citizens with Mumbai’s longstanding maritime heritage and provide opportunities to experience the harbour beyond its traditional commercial role.
“A port is much more than cargo, containers, imports and exports. Mumbai began as a port city, and its relationship with the sea goes back generations. Yet, most citizens have never had the opportunity to experience the world within a working port,” Dr. Angumuthu said, adding that the initiative seeks to bring Mumbaikars closer to the beauty, tranquillity and heritage of the sea.
Cruise Terminal to Handle One Million Passengers Annually
The Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, a key component of The Ballard Pier, has the capacity to handle approximately one million passengers annually, supporting Mumbai’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a cruise tourism destination.
The multipurpose infrastructure is designed to accommodate diverse maritime requirements, while the adjoining lifestyle destination is expected to offer visitors a combination of dining, retail, fashion and leisure experiences against the backdrop of the harbour.
The project also seeks to make Mumbai’s maritime legacy more accessible to younger generations and the wider public. Although the port has been central to the city’s economic development for more than a century, access to its operational areas has traditionally been limited.
By creating new opportunities for public engagement, the Authority aims to increase awareness of the port’s history, scale and contribution to Mumbai’s growth.
₹1,500-Crore Marina Planned by 2030
The Ballard Pier forms part of a larger plan to redevelop Mumbai’s eastern waterfront and create new avenues for tourism, connectivity and economic activity.
The Mumbai Port Authority is working towards developing the city’s first marina by 2030, with a proposed investment of approximately ₹1,500 crore. Plans also include a global-standard convention centre and the development of water-based transportation.
These proposed initiatives are intended to integrate the port more closely with the city’s urban and tourism landscape while retaining its core role in maritime trade and logistics.
“Our aim is to give Mumbai as much as we can from its waterfront. The Ballard Pier is one step in that journey. We want to make the sea more accessible to our citizens, encourage aqua tourism and create new waterfront experiences,” Dr. Angumuthu said.
He added that the proposed marina, convention centre and water transportation initiatives would explore how port infrastructure could contribute to Mumbai’s development beyond its traditional commercial functions.
Eastern Waterfront Transformation
Mumbai’s eastern waterfront occupies a significant place in the city’s maritime and economic history. The proposed transformation seeks to build on this legacy by combining commercial maritime infrastructure with tourism, recreation and public-facing amenities.
With The Ballard Pier, the Mumbai Port Authority aims to establish a stronger connection between the working port and the city’s residents, while creating new opportunities for cruise tourism and waterfront-led economic development.
As plans for the wider eastern waterfront progress, the focus will be on making the harbour a more integrated part of Mumbai’s public life, complementing its longstanding importance as a gateway for trade and shipping.
The Ballard Pier represents an initial step in this direction, bringing cruise operations and lifestyle experiences together within Mumbai’s historic port precinct.
About The Ballard Pier: Envisioned by the Mumbai Port Authority and operated by J M Baxi Ports & Logistics under a 30-year concession, The Ballard Pier combines the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal with a curated lifestyle destination in Mumbai’s historic harbour precinct.