The construction of a new passenger jetty and terminal at the iconic Gateway of India in South Mumbai would continue as the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea against the Bombay High Court verdict allowing the project.
A bench led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran rejected the appeal by petitioner Laura D’Souza, observing that the project falls within the government’s policy domain.
Court Verdict Stands
On July 15, the Bombay High Court had dismissed three petitions challenging the project proposed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). The court had said development could not be stalled merely on local grievances if broader public interest was being served.
While approving the jetty, the high court imposed safeguards:
- The amphitheatre would serve only as a waiting area, not for entertainment.
- The café/restaurant would be limited to providing water and packed food.
- The four existing public jetties would be phased out, as directed by the Navy, once the new facility became operational.
Concerns Of Local Residents
Senior advocate C. U. Singh, appearing for D’Souza, argued the project would overwhelm the area with traffic and dwarf its heritage surroundings. Another lawyer described the plan as “massive” and ill-suited for the Colaba waterfront.
The bench, however, rejected the view that opposition should be shaped only by the concerns of nearby residents. CJI Gavai remarked:
“It cannot be looked at only from the angle of those living in the buildings around Taj Mahal Palace. ‘Aamchi Mumbai’ lives across Goregaon, Dombivli, and elsewhere.”
He also clarified that Colaba was not an “elite” enclave alone, pointing out the area also housed several underprivileged families.
Government’s Stand
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra government, defended the project, calling it a “well-thought-out” step that would benefit the entire city. He stressed that the facility would reduce travel time between south Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Mandwa, and Alibaug, and said minor inconvenience to a few residents could not outweigh public benefit.
The project, spread over 1.5 acres in the sea and located 280 metres from the Gateway, includes parking for 150 cars, VIP lounges, ticketing counters, and a tennis-racquet-shaped jetty on stilts.
Environmental Concerns & Sustainability
Petitioners had warned of environmental damage, but the Bombay High Court earlier ruled that the project aligned with the principle of sustainable development, ensuring minimum ecological harm. It also noted that five jetties had been in use at the site for nearly a century, with one reserved for the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
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