Bombay High Court has upheld the Maharashtra government’s plan to build a passenger jetty and terminal facility near the Gateway of India, dismissing three petitions that raised environmental concerns. The proposed ₹229 crore project is led by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).
Executive directions from the High Court
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The amphitheatre must only serve as a seating area for passengers awaiting boarding, and not be used for entertainment.
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The café/restaurant is to provide only water and packed food, with no sit-down dining facility permitted.
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MMB must decommission existing jetties near the Gateway of India in a phased manner following directives from the Indian Navy.
The Court acknowledged that no sewage treatment plant is planned, but instructed MMB to ensure operations remain environmentally responsible. It emphasised that amphitheatre and café components are strictly ancillary and must not serve broader commercial purposes.
Development vs Conservation: Navigating public concerns
Bombay High Court’s ruling highlights the friction between civic voices concerned with environmental preservation and government authorities advocating infrastructure development. Petitioners argued that the ₹229 crore jetty project, spanning a total built-up area of 25,116 sq. metres and nearly 15 acres of sensitive sea area within CRZ-I and CRZ-IV zones, posed significant threats to marine ecology and the heritage landscape. They also raised objections over the lack of a fresh location study after a prior expert report had recommended Ferry Wharf as a more viable alternative.
Despite this, the Court upheld the State’s decision and confirmed that the project was lawfully cleared under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification. By framing the location and approval as matters of policy rather than legality, the verdict effectively clears the path for execution.
