The city may soon have a light-and-sound show presenting the history of Mumbai at the eastern waterfront, said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the sidelines of an inauguration event on Saturday. The minister inaugurated a slew of Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) projects, including bhoomipujan of the new eastern waterfront, opening of two floating restaurants and inviting tenders for the 8-km ropeway between Sewri and Elephanta caves. “Since we are developing a marina, I have asked MbPT to do a light-and-sound show on Mumbai’s history,” said Gadkari. While speaking about the new water transport and development of eastern water front as a tourism hub, Gadkari said, “All the projects envisioned are for Mumbai and for providing its residents with entertainment and tourism centres. We (government) are pro-environment. We will make it a tourist hub that will immediately generate revenue and employment.” The 1-km stretch, which is the first phase, will have a seaside restaurant, skating rink, cycling path, jogging tracks and walkways, as well as a seaside amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 250 people. “The skating rink, events bay and amphitheatre will be opened in the next six months. We are looking at completing the marina within two years,” said Sanjay Bhatia, MbPT chairman. The 8-hectare marina is being planned near the newly launched domestic cruise terminal at Princess Dock. The MbPT is looking at developing the area as a water transport hub for the city. The minister also suggested water-way connectivity from the terminal to the new airport, which is being built at Navi Mumbai. “A consultant has submitted the report to MbPT. The plan is to connect to the airport within 13 minutes by water transport,” Gadkari said. In the coming months, MbPT will also develop the Kanhoji Angre Island as a tourist spot. The island is located around 23-km south of the Gateway of India. A ropeway is also expected to be completed in three years at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore.
