India, Oct. 12 -- Imagine dining aboard a floating hotel with views of the Atal Setu, India's longest sea bridge connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, and the waters of Panvel Creek. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) plans to facilitate the development of three floating hospitality facilities, or floatels, near the Belapur jetty in Navi Mumbai as part of its efforts to promote maritime tourism and waterfront leisure.

The state government's maritime agency has invited private operators to develop and operate floatels at three locations near the newly developed tourism jetty in Sector 15, Belapur. According to the tender, the floating facilities could offer dining, accommodation, recreation, entertainment and other tourism-related services...