Third petition filed in HC opposing proposed jetty project at Radio Club
MUMBAI: A third petition has been filed in the Bombay high court opposing the proposed jetty project and terminal facilities near Radio Club at Apollo Bunder even as the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) asked the court to not entertain such petitions, claiming the project aims to relieve the burden on the existing jetties.
The petition, filed on June 9 by Shabnam Minwalla, an author and journalist, said that the construction of the jetty and terminal facilities would have a negative impact on the area and cause grave harm to local residents. She said that the project was not only illegal, but violated the constitutional rights of local residents, and should not be permitted. The petition challenged the construction of the jetty which will allegedly decongest the Gateway of India.
On the other hand, an affidavit filed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) on June 7 claimed that the petitioners have ignored the larger public interest and are opposing the project based on their perceived personal inconvenience. The project seeks to address a long-standing need for a safe, modern, and well-equipped jetty facility that would improve connectivity between the mainland and other areas including, Navi Mumbai, Mandwa or Alibaug, Elephanta Island, etc and decongest the existing jetties at the Gateway of India monument.
Stating that the existing jetty facilities are inadequate, the MMB said that the new project will not only improve connectivity and cater to the increased demand for water transport services from the mainland to other areas but will also decongest the crowd and road traffic at the Gateway of India monument.
The MMB said that the petitions filed by the residents have failed to establish how this development will cause them any direct legal harm or violate their fundamental rights. The MMB added that after the navy refused to clear the proposal to construct a floating jetty pontoon at the Gateway of India, it suggested constructing a jetty near Radio club at Apollo Bunder. Following that, the MMB examined other locations too before proposing the passenger jetty with additional facilities near Radio Club.
Minwalla's petition highlighted that the project had not been cleared under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and added that approval of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) was invalid.
The petition said that this new project would put more load on the already crumbling infrastructure in the area. 'The project contemplates the operation of a large jetty with a capacity of 20 berths in the midst of a primarily residential and already congested area. It will increase congestion, traffic, noise, and pollution in the area,' it said.
The petition cited Supreme Court orders and said principles of sustainable development, the doctrine of public trust, and the precautionary principle, are part of the law and must be followed in matters of town planning and urban development. 'The project will diminish the grandeur and visual spectacle of the Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Hotel in particular, and the Apollo Bunder promenade and sea-facing structures in general,' it added.
Minwalla asked the Bombay high court to intervene and stop the construction of the project and put a hold on the permissions given to the project so far. The court is set to hear the matter along with the other two petitions on June 16.
Replying to the MMB, Melwyn Fernandes, a Thane based social activist, said, 'The whole world will not come and knock on the door of this court and have the capacity to fight with the present dictatorship government's infrastructure projects.'
Fernandes said that such projects were objectionable, unnecessary, and had not considered local citizens, Indian heritage, and environmental spaces. He added, 'Only a handful, the economically sound people can come to this court on behalf of 100% citizens of this country.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
US warns Iran against closing Strait of Hormuz, calling it 'economic suicide'; urges China to intervene amid rising tensions
Amid the ongoing Iran-Israel war tensions and since the US's attack on Iran's key nuclear sites, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reacted to the Iranian parliament's approval to close the Strait of Hormuz, saying it would be "economic suicide". While speaking to Fox News, Rubio urged China to persuade Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz to US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to Bloomberg, the Strait of Hormuz is located between Iran and its Gulf neighbours and serves as a key passageway for nearly 20 per cent of the world's daily oil shipments. 'It's economic suicide for them if they do it' In another report in Reuters, Rubio stated that he encourages the Chinese government in Beijing to contact them about this because they are heavily dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil. "If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well. It would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours," he said. The Secretary of State also warned that shutting down the strait would be a major escalation, likely prompting a response from the US and its allies. What does Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz mean to the rest of the world? On Sunday, after the US airstrikes on its nuclear sites, Iran is considering a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, reported EuroNews. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, over 25 per cent of the world's seaborne oil trade and roughly 20 per cent of global oil and petroleum product consumption passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Dear MAGA Friends & family;In retaliation to the unprevoked MAGA Republican attack on Iran. Iran's parliament, has approved shutting down the strait of will increase the price of oil and we will all feel it at the gas this what you voted for? Additionally, about one-fifth of the global liquefied natural gas trade, mainly originating from Qatar, also moved through the strait during this period. According to the EIA, Saudi Aramco operates the East-West crude oil pipeline, which has a capacity of 5 million barrels per day and runs from the Abqaiq processing facility near the Persian Gulf to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea. If the Strait of Hormuz is seen as a high-risk area, insurance costs and security requirements will spike, raising shipping expenses for everyone involved.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Indian Express
Iranian parliament recommends Strait of Hormuz closure: What may be in store for energy markets, India's oil imports
Following US airstrikes at Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran's parliament Sunday approved a motion calling for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit choke point in global energy flows. To be sure, it is up to Iran's Supreme National Security Council to decide on whether or not to go ahead to try and choke the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has in the past threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz on multiple occasions, but has never actually done it. Notwithstanding that, the heightened risk of the closure is bound to raise concerns globally, including in India, particularly with regard to oil and gas supply security, and could lead to a jump in energy prices. The global energy market has had its eyes set on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict as the West Asian region is a critical cog in the international oil and gas flows. Indian refiners, too, have been watching the developments closely as the region accounts for a significant share of India's energy imports. Also, any major disruption in West Asian oil and gas exports could lead to a surge in oil and gas prices in the international market, which would also hurt India, which is counted among the world's largest oil and gas importers with high import dependency levels. To be sure, the conflict has so far not really disrupted physical oil and gas flows from the region, although shipping and insurance rates have gone up notably due to higher geopolitical risk premium,according to industry sources. There are also reports that a few shipping lines are reassessing routes in the region. This could further add to the transportation cost to and from the region. As for oil prices, benchmark Brent crude was at $77 per barrel on Friday, its highest level in nearly five months. It is likely that oil prices will surge when the markets open Monday over the possibility of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. At May-end, Brent was languishing around $63 per barrel. But oil prices rose sharply with Israel and Iran entering into a military conflict over the past couple of weeks. However, despite some energy infrastructure being hit in the conflict over the past few days, the most critical oil and gas supply infrastructure in the region is reported to be safe and export routes open and functional. Energy industry insiders, trade sources, and experts appear largely unanimous in the view that the trajectory oil and gas supplies and prices take hereon amid this conflict would largely depend on whether the critical Strait of Hormuz will indeed be closed by Iran, and whether oil and gas export infrastructure in the region would remain largely unharmed. Strait of Hormuz: World's most critical energy trade choke point Strait of Hormuz is a critical narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) calls it the 'world's most important oil transit chokepoint', with around one-fifth of global liquid petroleum fuel consumption and global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade transiting the strait. Much of India's oil from key West Asian suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE reaches Indian ports via the Strait of Hormuz. A bulk of India's LNG imports, which come predominantly from Qatar, also come through this vital choke point. India is the world's third-largest consumer of crude oil and depends on imports to meet over 85 per cent of its requirement. The country is also among the top importers of LNG, depending on imports to meet around half of its natural gas demand. India's largest source of crude oil is Russia, followed by West Asian suppliers Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. India also buys oil from other countries in the region like Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. Indian refiners do not purchase Iranian crude as Iran's energy sector is under US sanctions. According to tanker data analysed by The Indian Express, nearly 47 per cent of crude oil imported by Indian refiners in May was likely to have been transported via the Strait of Hormuz. The importance of the chokepoint for India's energy supply and security cannot be understated. To be sure, Tehran has over the years made such threats at various points, but has never actually closed the strait even when it fought its worst wars. That is also because given the importance of the channel for global energy trade, any such attempt could draw a strong response from regional powers and even the US. Also, given that Iran itself depends on the Strait of Hormuz for its trade, particularly oil exports to China, any blockade could impact Tehran considerably, experts pointed out. 'First and foremost, such a blockade would disproportionately harm China, which sources 47% of its seaborne crude from the Middle East Gulf, including Iranian volumes. Iran's ability to maintain its sole major oil customer would be directly jeopardised. Additionally, Tehran has made deliberate efforts over the past two years to rebuild ties with key regional actors, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both of which rely heavily on the Strait for exports and have publicly condemned Israel's actions. Sabotaging their flows would risk unraveling those diplomatic gains,' commodity market analytics firm Kpler said in a note on June 19. '…while the rhetoric may generate headlines, the fundamentals argue strongly against action,' the Kpler note said. 'It's really hard to tell, but I would say it's very unlikely for that (blockade of the Strait of Hormuz) to happen. And we've seen in the past, whenever there were indications or even threats that Iran might be doing this, you would hear statements from the US Fifth Fleet that they would immediately intervene and they would unblock the strait. Of course, it's something that we need to flag as a risk,' Kpler's head of Middle East energy & OPEC+ insights had said in a webinar last week. Hormuz closure will hurt energy import-dependent India Given the fact that the Iranian parliament has recommended the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the possibility cannot be dismissed. In fact, given that the regime in Tehran is perhaps fighting for survival, Iran might just attempt something that it has only threatened in the past. If the critical water channel indeed is closed by Iran, Bakr said oil prices, which have been rather subdued for a few months now, could jump to over $120 per barrel, or even touch $150. Apart from supply disruption for India, the surge in international energy prices due to any such blockade would hit India due to its heavy reliance on imported oil. This makes India's economy vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations. It also has a bearing on the country's trade deficit, foreign exchange reserves, the rupee's exchange rate, and inflation rate, among others. Major oil producers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have some alternative infrastructure in the form of pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports, but to what extent that would help would depend on the extent of the disruption to exports via the strait. According to officials in India's refining sector, the prospect of elevated freight rates due to high risk premium for tankers passing through the strait would lead to higher landed price of oil and gas for them, but that would still be significantly better than runaway oil prices due to any major supply disruption, which would be nearly certain if the Strait of Hormuz is shut for oil tankers. Threat to West Asian oil exports: Price impact So far, Iranian oil export infrastructure doesn't appear to have been majorly hit by Israel, which is a relief for the energy markets and countries like India, even though they do not buy oil from Iran. This is because some Chinese refiners buy bulk Iranian oil and if Iran's oil exports are majorly impaired due to the conflict, these buyers will be forced to scout for oil from other sources, which could lead to higher oil prices. 'If Iranian crude exports are disrupted, Chinese refiners, the sole buyers of Iranian barrels—would need to seek alternative grades from other Middle Eastern countries and Russian crudes. This could also boost freight rates and tanker insurance premiums… and hurt refinery margins, particularly in Asia,' Richard Joswick, head of near-term oil analysis at S&P Global Commodity Insights, said in a note recently. While oil producers' cartel OPEC has significant spare production capacity that they can use in case of a major outage of Iranian oil exports, it is important to note that much of that is with other West Asian oil producers, which are located in the broader Israel-Iran conflict zone. According to industry watchers, this spare capacity will only be helpful if other oil producers in the region are able to export to the rest of the world effectively. And that would have two key prerequisites—their own oil production and export infrastructure remains unharmed and the Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe for energy trade. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Iran-Israel war & US bombings: Should possible Strait of Hormuz closure worry India about its oil supply? Explained in 10 points
India's reliance on crude oil imports is at approximately 90%, with Middle Eastern nations supplying more than 40% of these imports. (AI image) Iran-Israel war & Strait of Hormuz: With escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, especially after the US bombed nuclear facilities in Iran earlier today, there are rising fears of the Strait of Hormuz being closed. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime passage handling 20% of global oil and gas transportation. According to state-run media, Iran's Parliament has approved the closure of Strait of Hormuz and the final decision will be taken by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. What will be the impact of the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz? And importantly, how will India be hit? We take a look: Why is the Strait of Hormuz important? The Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial maritime connection between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, extending into the Indian Ocean. This vital waterway, with its narrowest section at just 21 miles (33 kilometres), has Iran to the north and the Arabian Peninsula to the south. The navigable channels are considerably restricted, extending only two miles in either direction, which creates vulnerability to potential blockades and hostile actions. The Strait of Hormuz holds immense strategic and economic significance, particularly as a mandatory route for oil vessels departing from Persian Gulf ports. This maritime passage facilitates the transportation of one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Statistics from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicate that in 2024, the daily transport volume reached 20.3 million barrels of oil and 290 million cubic metres of LNG. The major oil-producing nations of the region - Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Qatar, Iran, and Kuwait - rely on this passage for their exports. Whilst historical concerns about disruptions to Persian Gulf energy flows majorly affected Western nations, particularly the US and Europe, in today's situation the implications would most significantly impact China and Asian countries. Based on EIA data quoted by PTI, Asian nations received 8% of crude oil and condensate shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in 2022. India, China, Japan, and South Korea collectively made up 67% of total flows during 2022 and the firstl six months of 2023. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025! Sea of Conquest Phát ngay Undo Also Read | 'Highest in two years': India increases oil imports from Russia, US amidst Iran-Israel war; why it's about strategic positioning, not panic India's reliance on crude oil imports is at approximately 90%, with Middle Eastern nations, whose exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, supplying more than 40% of these imports. EIA reports indicate that during the first quarter of 2025, China's crude imports via the Strait of Hormuz reached 5.4 million bpd. India received 2.1 million bpd, whilst South Korea and Japan imported 1.7 million bpd and 1.6 million bpd respectively. The IEA has emphasised that any interference with the flow through the Strait would significantly impact global oil markets. How will the closure of Strait of Hormuz impact India? India imports 5.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, with 2 million bpd passing through this strategic waterway. However, experts suggest that India's position remains secure due to its diversified import strategy, with alternative suppliers including Russia, the United States and Brazil available to maintain supply continuity. The Russian oil supply remains unaffected by Hormuz-related disruptions, as it uses alternative routes including the Suez Canal, Cape of Good Hope, or Pacific Ocean pathways. Similarly, supplies from the US, West Africa, and Latin America, though more expensive, serve as viable alternatives. Regarding gas supplies, India's primary supplier Qatar delivers without using the Strait of Hormuz for Indian shipments. Additional LNG sources from Australia, Russia and the US remain accessible regardless of any Strait of Hormuz closure . However, analysts predict that increasing tensions in this significant energy supply region could cause short-term price fluctuations, potentially pushing oil prices towards $80 per barrel. India relies on imports for 90% of its crude oil requirements and sources approximately half of its natural gas from international markets. The imported crude oil undergoes refining to produce petrol and diesel, while natural gas serves multiple purposes including power generation, fertiliser production, CNG for vehicles, and domestic cooking gas supply. India obtains approximately 40% of its oil requirements from Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, with shipments travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. Russia has become a significant oil supplier to India, with current imports exceeding the total imports from Middle Eastern nations. According to preliminary trade data from Kpler, Indian refineries imported 2-2.2 million bpd of Russian crude oil in June, surpassing the combined imports of about 2 million bpd from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, marking the highest level in two years. Additionally, imports from the United States increased to 439,000 bpd in June, showing substantial growth from 280,000 bpd in the previous month. Although current supplies remain stable, vessel movements indicate a reduction in crude loadings from the Middle East in the forthcoming period. Vessel operators are showing reluctance to dispatch empty tankers (ballasters) to the Gulf, with numbers decreasing from 69 to 40, whilst MEG-bound signals from the Gulf of Oman have reduced by half. Kpler reports quoted by PTI indicate potential tightening of MEG supplies in the immediate future, possibly necessitating adjustments to India's procurement strategy, noting significant changes in India's import patterns over the past two years. In the event of escalating tensions or temporary Hormuz disruptions, Russian oil supplies could increase, providing both availability and cost advantages. India has options to diversify its oil imports from the United States, Nigeria, Angola, and Brazil, despite higher transportation expenses. On June 13, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed India's sufficient energy reserves for upcoming months, with capability to access alternative sources if needed. India can utilise its strategic petroleum reserves, which cover 9-10 days of imports, to manage any supply gaps. To control inflation during price surges, particularly for diesel and LPG, the government maintains the option of implementing price subsidies. Will oil prices rise? Global oil prices saw a sharp increase after Israel launched attacks targeting Iranian military commanders, homes, military installations and nuclear facilities on June 13. Iran retaliated by firing numerous ballistic missiles. This heightened tension caused oil prices to rise substantially, as concerns grew about geopolitical instability and potential supply chain disruptions. The benchmark Brent crude oil has reached $77 per barrel, marking a 10 per cent increase since the onset of hostilities. According to oil market specialists at Goldman Sachs, prices could potentially rise beyond $90 should the situation deteriorate further. Citigroup analysts project that Brent crude values might approach $90 per barrel in the event of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The credit rating organisation Icra indicated that any intensification of regional tensions could have considerable effects on oil prices. Higher oil prices would reduce the profits that state-owned retailers IOC, BPCL and HPCL have built up by maintaining stable retail prices despite previous decreases in international rates. Also Read | Iran-Israel conflict: India keeping tab on Chabahar Port, International North-South Transport Corridor; why it's important According to Jain of Yes Securities, oil markets remain adequately supplied, supported by OPEC's 4 million barrels per day spare capacity and a pre-conflict global surplus of 0.9 million bpd. Additional stability comes from US shale production. Global security analysts deem an extended blockage of the Strait of Hormuz unlikely, given the US naval forces in the region. Any such action by Iran would not only impact the oil exports of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar but would also hamper its own export capabilities. Despite aggressive rhetoric from Iranian conservatives and state media predictions of oil prices reaching $400 per barrel, the international trade analysis organisation Kpler suggests the probability of a complete blockade remains minimal, citing significant deterrents for Iran. Such an action would severely affect China, Iran's primary oil buyer, which sources 47 per cent of its maritime crude imports from the Middle East Gulf region. As the world's second-largest economy, China stands as the principal purchaser of Iranian oil, reportedly consuming more than three-quarters of Iran's oil exports. The fact that Iran relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for its oil shipments through Kharg Island, which manages 96% of its exports, makes any self-imposed blockade counterproductive to its interests. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
