Mumbai, 20 April

The proposed passenger jetty near the Gateway of India, to be developed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board, has run into rough weather due to opposition from locals who see it as an environment hazard and a threat to heritage sites.

As local residents close ranks against the Rs 229-crore project, they have received support from politicians across party lines though the state government has sought to allay their concerns and insisted the jetty-cum-terminal building will serve the cause of ordinary people.

The Gateway of India in Colaba, one of Mumbai's illustrious landmarks, is a hub for ferry traffic, plying daily services to the Elephanta Caves, a popular tourist spot, and Mandwa village, which serves as a gateway to Alibaug, a coastal town frequented by weekend travellers.

The proposed jetty and terminal, to be located near the Radio Club -- about 500 metres from the Gateway of India -- is being claimed as an environment hazard and a threat to heritage structures located in the vicinity by locals, who have got together under the banner of Clean Heritage Colaba Residents Association (CHCRA) to oppose the project.

State assembly speaker and local BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora, South Mumbai Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT), Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi and other politicians have supported the protesting residents.

Likely to be completed in two years, the project is expected to reroute all boat traffic from the Gateway of India, reduce existing congestion as well as upgrade the old facilities.

The jetty (structure built in water and used by people for getting on and off boats) will have the capacity to accommodate up to 20 boats at a time, allowing for their smoother operations.

The terminal building will have a 350-person capacity amphitheatre, a berthing jetty, an approach jetty, a fire safety system, and CCTVs besides gardening and beautification works.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, cleared the decks for the project and allocated Rs 229 crore for it in the budget for 2025-26.