Supreme Court Clears ₹229 Cr Jetty Near Gateway of India
The Supreme Court of India has refused to stay the construction of a ₹229 crore passenger jetty and terminal facilities planned near the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The bench, comprising Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, dismissed a special leave petition filed by members of the Clean and Heritage Colaba Residents Association who had challenged an earlier order by the Bombay High Court permitting the project.
The apex court emphasized that the Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on June 16, 2025, and urged the High Court to expedite the proceedings, ideally before the onset of the monsoon. The court refrained from interfering at this stage, suggesting that the appropriate judicial forum was already seized of the matter.
Details of the Jetty Project and Public Objections
The planned jetty will extend roughly 650 meters into the Arabian Sea between the Gateway of India and the Radio Club in South Mumbai’s Colaba area. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) argues that the project aims to decongest the area and improve water-based transport infrastructure for the city’s residents and tourists alike.
However, the plan has drawn significant criticism from local residents and heritage activists, who argue that the construction would encroach upon more than 10 acres of the sea and compromise the ecological and heritage value of the location. Petitioners also contended that the project was fast-tracked without sufficient public consultation and that it would primarily serve VIP interests.
Representing the MMB, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati countered these claims, asserting that the project has obtained seven mandatory clearances and is meant for broader public use. She stressed that the terminal would serve thousands of daily commuters and is not designed as an exclusive or elite facility.
Judicial Remarks and Coastal Road Comparison
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Gavai remarked on the broader pattern of resistance to urban infrastructure projects in South Mumbai. He recalled how there was widespread opposition to the Mumbai Coastal Road project in its early days, yet it has now significantly improved travel time and connectivity between South Mumbai and the western suburbs.
“Something good is happening for the city. Everybody opposed the coastal road. Now you see what the benefit of the coastal road is,” he said, drawing a parallel between that initiative and the proposed jetty project.
While allowing construction to continue for now, the Supreme Court left the final call to the Bombay High Court and asked it to consider the matter on a priority basis in its June 16 hearing. Until then, the project remains a focal point of debate over development versus heritage in one of India’s most iconic urban landscapes.
