Supreme Court Upholds Jetty Project Near Gateway of India, Dismisses Pleas Against Bombay HC Verdict

The Supreme Court on Monday (1 September) gave the green light for the construction of a passenger jetty and terminal facilities near the Gateway of India, dismissing petitions that sought to overturn the Bombay High Court’s decision in favour of the project, Indian Express reported.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran dismissed special leave petitions (SLPs) filed by Laura D’Souza and others against the 15 July High Court ruling.

The bench observed that the project had been approved by competent authorities “after due consideration of relevant factors” and was a “policy decision supported by statutory clearances.”

“We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgement and orders passed by the High Court. The SLPs are thus dismissed,” the bench ruled.

The project, spanning 1.5 acres and situated roughly 280 metres from the Gateway of India near the Radio Club, envisages a tennis racquet-shaped jetty on stilts. Plans include parking for 150 vehicles, VIP lounges, waiting areas, an amphitheatre, and administrative facilities.

The Bombay High Court, in its July verdict, had emphasised that “the pursuit of development is not an affront to the environment when it walks the careful path of sustainability guided by regulations and reasons.”

It also underlined that the “dominant purpose of the project” was to facilitate passenger embarkation and disembarkation, with ancillary facilities only serving to support this primary function.

Petitioners had argued that “illegal and arbitrary” clearances were granted without proper procedure and claimed the project would damage the heritage character of the area.

The state government, however, defended the approvals, stressing that all permissions were legally obtained and that the jetty would ease congestion around the Gateway while improving passenger safety.

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