Union Minister Launches Cruise Operations in Mumbai

22 Apr 2025 CW Team

Alongside this, Minister Sonowal inaugurated the renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks and two heritage buildings—Fort House at Ballard Estate and Evelyn House in Colaba. He also launched the ‘Sagar Upvan’ garden and introduced the Shore-to-Ship Electric Supply as part of the Green Port Initiative to promote sustainability in the maritime sector.

The MICT, developed under the Cruise Bharat Mission, is a state-of-the-art facility located at Ballard Pier. It boasts over 4,15,000 square feet of built-up area and is designed to handle 1 million passengers annually. The terminal is equipped with 72 check-in and immigration counters, and it can accommodate five ships simultaneously, with parking for over 300 vehicles. This modern terminal is poised to enhance Mumbai's position as a leading global cruise hub.

Minister Sonowal emphasised the importance of Mumbai's rich maritime history and its role in India's economic development. “Mumbai has always been a significant maritime hub, and today, with the inauguration of the MICT, we are one step closer to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of turning India into a global cruise destination,” he stated.

The terminal's design integrates Mumbai's maritime identity with modern aesthetics, featuring fluid architecture, rose gold accents, and a sweeping ceiling. It is designed to offer passengers a seamless experience with modern amenities, ensuring safety and comfort while enhancing Mumbai’s cruise tourism infrastructure.

In his address, Sonowal highlighted the government’s commitment to the Cruise Bharat Mission, which focuses on three key sectors: ocean and harbour cruises, river and inland cruises, and island and lighthouse cruises. "Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India's maritime sector has experienced transformative growth, positioning the nation as a future-ready global maritime hub," he added.

Additionally, Minister Sonowal attended an MoU signing ceremony for strategic development at Vadhavan Port, aimed at enhancing port infrastructure and cargo handling facilities, with investments totalling ?5,700 crores.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, today flagged off cruise operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), marking a significant milestone for India’s maritime sector. The MICT, India's largest cruise terminal, is set to play a pivotal role in the country's burgeoning cruise tourism industry. Alongside this, Minister Sonowal inaugurated the renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks and two heritage buildings—Fort House at Ballard Estate and Evelyn House in Colaba. He also launched the ‘Sagar Upvan’ garden and introduced the Shore-to-Ship Electric Supply as part of the Green Port Initiative to promote sustainability in the maritime sector. The MICT, developed under the Cruise Bharat Mission, is a state-of-the-art facility located at Ballard Pier. It boasts over 4,15,000 square feet of built-up area and is designed to handle 1 million passengers annually. The terminal is equipped with 72 check-in and immigration counters, and it can accommodate five ships simultaneously, with parking for over 300 vehicles. This modern terminal is poised to enhance Mumbai's position as a leading global cruise hub. Minister Sonowal emphasised the importance of Mumbai's rich maritime history and its role in India's economic development. “Mumbai has always been a significant maritime hub, and today, with the inauguration of the MICT, we are one step closer to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of turning India into a global cruise destination,” he stated. The terminal's design integrates Mumbai's maritime identity with modern aesthetics, featuring fluid architecture, rose gold accents, and a sweeping ceiling. It is designed to offer passengers a seamless experience with modern amenities, ensuring safety and comfort while enhancing Mumbai’s cruise tourism infrastructure. In his address, Sonowal highlighted the government’s commitment to the Cruise Bharat Mission, which focuses on three key sectors: ocean and harbour cruises, river and inland cruises, and island and lighthouse cruises. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India's maritime sector has experienced transformative growth, positioning the nation as a future-ready global maritime hub, he added. Additionally, Minister Sonowal attended an MoU signing ceremony for strategic development at Vadhavan Port, aimed at enhancing port infrastructure and cargo handling facilities, with investments totalling ?5,700 crores.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Escorts Kubota Unveils BS V Next-gen Construction Range at Excon 2025

Escorts Kubota (EKL), one of India’s major engineering groups in the agricultural and construction equipment sectors, unveiled its latest BS V–compliant construction machinery line-up at Excon 2025. The refreshed portfolio underscores the company’s push toward application-driven, high-productivity solutions that reduce ownership costs and meet the needs of India’s expanding infrastructure landscape. With demand rising across urban development, industrial logistics and mining, the new range aims to deliver higher performance, durability and operator comfort.In the earthmoving segment, E..

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

ACE and Kotak Mahindra Bank Join Hands to Boost Backhoe Loader Financing

Action Construction Equipment (ACE), the world’s largest Pick-n-Carry crane maker and a leading manufacturer of material handling and construction equipment in India, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Kotak Mahindra Bank to enhance the availability of flexible financing options for backhoe loader customers across the country.The collaboration aims to support contractors, infrastructure companies, entrepreneurs, SMEs, and emerging businesses by offering smoother access to credit through customised loan schemes, quicker turnaround times, and the extensive footprint of Kotak M..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..