Mumbai court backs new jetty project near Gateway of India
The Bombay High Court has upheld the state government’s decision to construct a passenger jetty near the iconic Gateway of India, dismissing residents’ objections on environmental and heritage grounds. The court ruled that the Maharashtra Maritime Board’s proposal met the conditions of sustainable development and obtained all necessary approvals, providing a green light to a contentious infrastructure project aimed at easing coastal traffic and improving safety standards for millions of passengers.
The jetty, to be built adjacent to the Radio Club in Colaba, is designed to relieve congestion at the existing jetties used by boats and ferries connecting south Mumbai with locations such as Mandwa, Elephanta Islands and Navi Mumbai. The plan includes a modern terminal with waiting areas, boarding platforms, and parking for 150 cars. The court’s directive included strict conditions: the proposed amphitheatre can only serve as a waiting area, not an entertainment venue, and food services must be restricted to water and pre-packed items, avoiding dine-in facilities. Opponents of the plan had raised multiple concerns, ranging from the potential threat to the area’s ecological sensitivity to its proximity to a protected heritage precinct. They questioned the environmental clearances granted and alleged that traffic would worsen in the already congested Colaba area.
However, the court held that policy decisions such as jetty placement lie within the government’s domain and its role was not to second-guess the suitability of such measures. Instead, it stressed that the environmental and heritage committees had given appropriate clearance, and compliance conditions had been factored in. The jetty project, estimated at ₹229 crore, involves construction on a sea-facing promenade and would replace five existing jetties after completion. The move was defended by government agencies as a much-needed upgrade to marine infrastructure, providing safer, more structured access to water transport for over three million annual users. The court recognised the significance of replacing ageing facilities with environmentally-conscious development and emphasised that modernisation need not come at the cost of heritage if handled responsibly.
The judgment has implications for how infrastructure projects balance development with conservation. While the court permitted the jetty’s construction, it reinforced the need for regulatory oversight and adherence to environmental standards. Civil society organisations have called for a participatory approach where residents, planners and experts collaborate on future projects impacting sensitive coastal zones. This case underscores the growing tension between urban mobility needs and heritage preservation in cities undergoing rapid transformation.
