Mumbai, Oct. 28 -- Mumbai Port Authority announced The Ballard Pier on 23 October 2026, presenting a project that combines the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal with a public lifestyle destination in the city's historic harbour precinct. Operated by J M Baxi Ports & Logistics under a 30-year concession, the pier is intended to open part of Mumbai's eastern waterfront to residents.
The development continues to serve maritime activity through its cruise terminal while adding dining, retail, fashion and leisure facilities overlooking the harbour. Its infrastructure can handle about 1 mn passengers annually and includes multipurpose capabilities for different maritime requirements. The combination is designed to support cruise tourism while retaining the terminal's operational role within the port.
The authority's chairperson, Dr M. Angamuthu, said the project would allow the port to share more of its waterfront with the city. He linked the initiative to Mumbai's origins as a port city and said that public access to a working harbour had traditionally been limited. The pier is intended to help residents, particularly younger generations, understand the harbour's heritage, scale and economic significance. It also supports the authority's wider aim of making the sea more accessible and encouraging aqua tourism.
The Ballard Pier forms part of a broader plan to develop the eastern waterfront beyond the port's core commercial functions. Mumbai Port Authority is working towards the city's first marina, which is planned as a world-class destination by 2030, with proposed investment of about Rs. 15 bn. The wider programme includes a global-standard convention centre and water-based transport, creating scope for tourism, connectivity and public waterfront activity.
Together, these projects are intended to bring maritime infrastructure closer to city life while retaining its role in trade. The authority manages Mumbai's historic port and is seeking to strengthen cruise tourism, improve public engagement and generate additional economic activity. A public-facing terminal is designed to attract visitors beyond cruise calls, but its performance will depend on how effectively port operations and public access coexist. It will also be shaped by cruise traffic and progress on the marina, convention centre and water transport plans.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.