Despite fierce opposition from locals, the state government has pressed forward with plans to construct a passenger jetty at Radio Club, near the iconic Gateway of India. The project has ignited anger among Colaba residents, who fear it will lead to severe traffic congestion and significant flooding issues in the future. With growing frustration, they are now seeking legal advice to challenge the development and protect their neighborhood from the potential negative impact.
On Monday, in his budget speech, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced an allocation of Rs. 229.27 crores for the construction of the passenger jetty at Radio club.
The announcement came as a surprise to Colaba residents, who had already voiced strong opposition to the project. Having expressed concerns over its impact, they had proposed Princess Dock near Ferry Wharf in Mazgaon as a more suitable alternative location for the jetty. Subhash Motwani, President of the Clean Heritage Colaba Residents’ Association (CHCRA), said, “The Gateway of India is one of Mumbai’s most iconic and bustling tourist destinations. Constructing a jetty in its immediate vicinity will only exacerbate traffic congestion, leading to gridlock in the area. The increased influx of vehicles will cause major disruptions, making it impossible for cars to move freely.”
He further added, “Already Colaba Causeway is grappling with a serious encroachment issue, which is causing severe traffic congestion in the area. During the monsoon, high tide waves have been rampant along the Radio Club wall. Colaba has historically been one of the few areas in Mumbai that hasn’t faced flooding, but with the ongoing encroachment and the proposed demolition of the old heritage wall to make way for the jetty, we are looking at the potential for massive flooding that could cause irreparable damage to both lives and property. We are also concerned about whether the Heritage Committee will approve this work. We plan to consult with experts and seek advice from our legal team to determine the best course of action moving forward.”
In January, Colaba residents requested the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) to conduct a traffic simulation study before finalising the jetty location at the Gateway of India. Accordingly, Assembly Speaker and Colaba MLA Rahul Narwekar called for the project to be relocated to Princess Dock. However, the MMB argued that the project was not feasible at Princess Dock, as the area is frequently used by fishermen to anchor and berth their vessels. The proposed jetty, which is expected to be completed in 30 months, aims to alleviate congestion at the Gateway of India — a location where approximately 25 lakh passengers embark and disembark from boats annually.
