Surat: Visitors to Dumas Sea Face, one of Surat’s major tourist attractions, may soon have to pay an entry fee as the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) plans to hand over the operation and maintenance of the project to a private agency. The civic body has initiated the Expression of Interest (EoI) process, citing rising visitor numbers, traffic pressure, and the need for better management and maintenance of facilities.

The Dumas Sea Face project, developed at a cost of ₹244 crore, has so far remained open to visitors free of charge. However, with daily footfall steadily increasing, municipal authorities believe that maintaining security, cleanliness, traffic management, and visitor facilities has become a challenge.

According to the EoI issued by the corporation, the selected private agency will initially be awarded a 10-year contract to operate and manage the project. The agreement may be extended for another five years based on performance. The municipal administration estimates potential revenue of around ₹50 crore, although the final amount will depend on proposals received from participating agencies. Online applications have been invited until May 30, after which technical evaluations and proposal assessments will begin.

The project has been divided into five operational zones, considering an estimated average daily footfall of around 12,000 visitors. Entry roads, plazas, and parking facilities will fall under arrival and exit infrastructure. Recreational facilities will include areas such as an urban beach, box cricket, yoga spaces, and other leisure zones. Separate zones will also cater to cultural events, exhibitions, religious spaces, and hospitality services such as cafes and restaurants.

Authorities said physical and digital ticketing systems may be introduced for entry. Besides an entry fee, separate charges may also be levied for services such as parking and recreational facilities, including box cricket.

Officials clarified that the ticket price has not yet been finalised and will depend on proposals, cost structures, and management models submitted by participating agencies. The civic body has also included provisions for the immediate termination of the contract in cases of negligence or poor performance by the selected agency. DeshGujarat