The Bombay High Court has approved the construction of a new passenger jetty and terminal at the Gateway of India, but with strict rules, any amphitheatre must only be for passenger seating and not for entertainment, and proposed food outlets can only sell water and packed food, not offer full dining
Bombay High Court. File Pic.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted permission for the construction of a new passenger jetty and terminal at the iconic Gateway of India in South Mumbai, subject to specific conditions, reported news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, a bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne upheld the Maharashtra government's decision to proceed with the jetty and terminal project.
However, the court stipulated that a proposed amphitheatre, intended as part of the project, must function solely as a seating area for passengers and not as an entertainment venue. Similarly, any planned restaurant or café will be restricted to providing water and pre-packaged food to passengers, explicitly disallowing full dining facilities.
According to PTI, the Maharashtra Maritime Board is required to ensure that, upon completion of the new project, the use of the existing four jetties is phased out as directed by the Indian Navy.
The High Court stated, "In our view, the project meets the principle of sustainable development where the proposed development is being carried out with minimum damage to the environment." It further added that the government's policy decision did not suffer from "vice of arbitrariness, irrationality and non-application of mind."
The court remarked that the pursuit of development does not necessarily contradict environmental protection when it "walks the careful path of sustainability, guarded by regulations and reason."
Moreover, a series of petitions had been filed, arguing that construction near the Gateway of India, a significant Mumbai landmark, would negatively impact the environment.
According to PTI, the proposed project encompasses a terminal platform, parking facilities for 150 cars, a VIP waiting area, an amphitheatre, a food court, a café, and ticket counters. The court clarified that the new jetty would serve as an embarkation and disembarkation point for passengers, but would not be used for handling cargo or fish.
"The objective of the project is to provide better facilities to existing passengers using the old jetties and to decongest the Gateway of India," the High Court explained.
Currently, there are five operational jetties, which have been in use for nearly a century, the court noted. One of these is exclusively used by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
The Maharashtra Maritime Board estimates that approximately 3.5 million passengers annually use the four jetties currently open to the public, deeming them inadequate for current demand. Ferries departing from the Gateway of India transport passengers from South Mumbai to Alibag in the neighbouring Raigad district.
(With inputs from PTI)
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