The protest against the jetty in Colaba is getting intensified as days pass as residents are getting political support across parties. After local MP Arvind Sawant from Shiv Sena UBT, local BJP MLA and speaker Rahul Narwekar, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi, now Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora from Shiv Sena has raised objections on the jetty project. Deora is former MP from Colaba and a resident too.
In his letter to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deora has raised concerns by local stakeholders and citizens regarding the location of the newly proposed jetty between the Radio Club and Gateway of India.
"While the initiative to enhance water transport infrastructure is much appreciated and certainly aligned with the city's development needs, the specific location currently under consideration may pose significant challenges. The Gateway of India is already a high-footfall tourist destination, and the addition of a new jetty in this immediate vicinity could lead to considerable congestion, safety concerns, and general inconvenience to both tourists and citizens," the letter says.
Deora has urged to Dy CM to consider alternative and more suitable locations such as Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka) or Ballard Estate.
"This slight shift in planning would help in maintaining the sanctity and accessibility of the historic Gateway of India while also ensuring smooth and efficient operations of the new jetty," the Shiv Sena MP says.
Meanwhile, the work Rs 229 crore project has been on hold since the Colaba residents met with the objections to Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane on March 29. The residents have demanded a list of 27 documents from the Maritime Board including approvals and feasibility studies for the jetty project. The residents are waiting for the next meeting with the minister to decide of further course of action. If they don't get copies of the documents they have demanded, they intend to file a public interest litigation in the Bombay High court.
On the protest meet organised by the Clean and Heritage Colaba Residents Association on April 5, apart from over 300 residents from south Mumbai, MLA Rahul Narwekar, MP Arvind Sawant and MLA Abu Azmi had also joined.
