Ballard Pier Cruise Terminal Opens to Public for Pier Pop Festival
The new international cruise terminal at Ballard Estate, located near Colaba, has opened two of its floors to the general public for the "Pier Pop" festival, which launched last weekend. The initiative, running during the monsoon season from June 21 to July 23, allows visitors to access the waterfront space for shopping, dining, playing pickleball, and watching ships.
The festival is a joint effort between the Mumbai Port Trust, which owns 1,800 acres of land stretching from Colaba to Wadala, and the JM Baxi group. The shipping and logistics company holds a 30-year lease to manage the terminal, which opened last year at the site of the former Indira Dock at the far end of the historic Ballard Estate.
During the monsoon months, international cruise liners cannot dock, leaving the terminal's immigration booths and customs counters closed. The Pier Pop event repurposes this space. "We want to re-establish people’s relationship with the sea," said Aditi Dhruv Kotak, director of JM Baxi group, noting that the initiative aims to make a cruising lifestyle accessible to the non-cruising public.
Curated by Baro Market, the festival showcases crafts and design from small brands and artisans across India. Activities include pickleball, go-karting, and play areas for children. While some activities are free, others are chargeable, and visitors must register online or at the venue.
By the end of the year, the higher floors of the terminal are scheduled to feature high-end sailing clubs, night clubs with live music, retail, and dining. A public seafront park will also open outside the terminal.
While many residents welcome the new public space, urban planners have raised concerns about the lack of an integrated masterplan for Mumbai's eastern waterfront. Architect Pankaj Joshi, principal director of Urban Centre Mumbai, criticized the "splintered decision-making" along the stretch, stating that the long-term future of the waterfront remains unclear despite its potential to provide much-needed open space for the city.
