The Clean Heritage Colaba Residents Association (CHCRA) is prepared to file a writ petition in the Bombay High Court on Monday after failing to obtain the 27 documents from the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and the indications that the authorities have begun construction on the proposed jetty near the Gate of India.
The CHCRA’s advocate, Prerak Choudhary, stated that the writ petition against the jetty project will be filed following discussion with the top counsels. Citing traffic problems, heritage site damage, improper permissions, and numerous other concerns, the people of Colaba have been fiercely opposed to the construction of the jetty and terminal between the Gateway of India and the Radio Club.
They further claim that months before Heritage Conservation’s approval was obtained, a construction order was issued for the Rs 229 project.
“We were assured that construction would not begin until our enquiries were satisfactorily addressed. Our next meeting with the minister was supposed to be when the work would begin. Nonetheless, MMB has started barricading, and work has started. Until our questions are addressed, we will cease our efforts. We have chosen to go to court to protect Colaba from traffic and heritage area harm, as we have yet to get the promised list of 27 documents,” CHCRA stated.
The neighbours met with local MLA and speaker Rahul Narwekar to express their opposition to the project after Minister Nitesh Rane conducted the groundbreaking ceremony in March. Following that, Minister Rane pledged to provide copies of the papers the residents had requested, including feasibility studies and permissions.
Source: The Free Press Journal
