These locations, which include Haji Ali, Bandra and Versova, are seen by the bidders as viable spots with high levels of traffic. However, there are other issues of concern. For instance, enough land will have to be made available at the site for construction of the terminal which will include a waiting area for passengers and ticketing counters.

Even if the land is identified, legal issues such as whether construction can be permitted there under the existing coastal regulation zone (CRZ) remain unclear.

While severe overloading of existing transport options has made any new project appear feasible at first glance, bidders for this project haveasked the MMB to conduct a detailed feasibility study that will throw up more accurate estimates of volume and pattern of traffic. This will help bidders to decide the type of craft and other infrastructure, and thereby the project cost. The financial bids are yet to be made.

Another issue concerns the developer of the terminals. While some of the bidders, including Triton Overwater Agency, the Mahindra & Mahindra promoted company, have offered to even build the terminals, MMB needs to decide if it will allow private sector entrepreneurs to develop the land infrastructure.

Although MMB has indicated that it is in favour of this, a formal decision is yet to be reached. The tariff structure remains another area where no decision has been taken.

The five bidders for the water transport project, conceived by MMB last year, are Four Seasons Marine and Air Services, SKS, Maldar Catamarans, Satyagiri Shipping and Triton Overwater Agency.