HC green light for Radio Club jetty

High court dismisses three petitions by Colaba residents, rules that project by state govt is valid

- Karuna Nidhi

The Bombay high court on Tuesday refused to interfere with the Maharashtra government's decision to construct a passenger jetty at the Radio Club near the Gateway of India, provided certain conditions regarding the facilities that would be part of the project are met.

A division bench of chief justice Alok Aradhe and justice Sandeep Marne dismissed three separate petitions filed by Colaba residents challenging the project on various grounds, including environmental impact. The bench observed that the project had been granted all the necessary approvals and, therefore, the court's intervention was unwarranted. “We uphold the validity of the decision of MMB (Maharashtra Maritime Board) and the state government in constructing the project,” said the court.

However, based on the petitioners’ apprehensions, the court directed the MMB to ensure certain conditions are met: the space earmarked for an amphitheatre should be used only as a sitting area for passengers waiting to board and not for entertainment; the proposed food stalls must only provide water and packed food products, and not offer dining facilities; and the existing jetties in the area must be discontinued in a phased manner after the project's completion.