July 16, 2025: The Bombay High Court has cleared the Maharashtra government’s Rs 229-crore Gateway Jetty project near the historic Gateway of India, dismissing three petitions that raised environmental and heritage concerns. With this verdict, the state can move forward with the Maharashtra Maritime Board’s marine passenger terminal plan.
The proposed jetty will occupy nearly 15 acres along an ecologically sensitive stretch falling under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) categories I and IV. Civic groups and residents had opposed the project, citing threats to marine ecology, disruption of the precinct’s visual aesthetics, and the absence of sewage treatment facilities.
Petitioners also referred to an earlier expert report recommending Ferry Wharf as a more suitable location, which they argued was overlooked. However, the court ruled that all CRZ and heritage approvals were obtained through legal procedures. The bench noted that site selection is a policy matter, not subject to judicial review, provided procedural compliance is maintained.
To address concerns of commercialisation, the court imposed specific conditions. The amphitheatre at the terminal will be limited to passenger waiting use and cannot host entertainment events. The on-site café is restricted to serving bottled water and packaged food, disallowing full-service dining. Additionally, older jetties near the Gateway of India are to be decommissioned gradually in alignment with naval requirements.
Although the project lacks a dedicated sewage treatment plant, the court directed the Maharashtra Maritime Board to adopt environmentally responsible operations. The state considers this terminal critical to easing the load on the existing Gateway jetties, which currently handle over 3.5 million passengers annually.
Experts say the court’s conditional approval establishes a benchmark for balancing infrastructure growth with ecological and heritage preservation. The project is expected to integrate with Mumbai’s broader multimodal transport plans, aiming for a more sustainable and efficient coastal mobility network.
Source: Urban Acres
