HC rejects plea for floatel, jetty

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday rejected a plea by a private party to come up with a floatel and a jetty at Nariman Point.

A Division Bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice P.N. Deshmukh was hearing a petition filed by Rashmi Development Private Limited challenging an order passed by BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta, Police Commissioner Datta Padsalgikar, and Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee chairman Ramanath Jha.

The committee turned down its proposal to erect a jetty for ferrying passengers to and fro from the floatel.

The court said, “The Western Naval Command had never granted an NOC for the floating hotel. All that their letter records is that the safety and security issues will have to be examined first.”

The court also said, “Even the Coast Guard in its letter said that a security audit will have to be carried out before permission is granted.”

Reprimanding MTDC, the court said since it is a government department, it is aware of the committee and the fact that the civic body is bound by the committee’s recommendations. “Still, the MTDC has openly supported the petitioner.”