0 months ago
Maharashtra Tells Supreme Court Bombay HC Bids Due by Year-End
The Bombay High Court is a very important court in Mumbai, India, and its building is very old.
The people who work there need more space, and the old building has some safety worries.
So the Maharashtra government decided to build a new, bigger courthouse in a part of Mumbai called Bandra.
The Supreme Court of India, the highest court in the country, is keeping an eye on this project.
The government told the Supreme Court that it will pick the construction company by the end of December.
Most of the land, 23.7 acres, has already been given for the project.
A small part of the land is still being used by some government workers, so the state asked for time until August 31, and the last piece will be ready by December 31.
The new building will have big courtrooms, offices for judges, a library, and a mediation centre.
A lot of permits and careful planning are needed before building can begin.
The Maharashtra government told the Supreme Court that selection of bids for the new Bombay High Court complex at Bandra, Mumbai, will be completed by the year-end.
Advocate General Milind Sathe said conceptual plans were finalised on July 23 and structural, architectural and construction drawings are being prepared by the appointed architect.
The state sought an extension till August 31 to hand over the remaining land, as some buildings on the site are still occupied by government employees and High Court staff.
Of the 30.16 acres allocated at the Bandra-Kurla complex, 23.7 acres have already been handed over; the remaining 5.4 acres will be transferred by the end of December.
The project requires around 45 statutory permissions, and the court was hearing a suo motu case on the heritage building of the Bombay High Court and allotment of additional lands.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, and the Maharashtra government, represented by Advocate General Milind Sathe.
- What
- The state told the court that the process of selecting bids for construction of the new Bombay High Court complex at Bandra will be completed by the end of December.
- Where
- The Supreme Court in New Delhi; the new complex will be built at the Bandra-Kurla complex in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- When
- August 7 (Friday), at a Supreme Court hearing; bid selection is expected by the end of December.
- Why
- A new complex was proposed due to safety concerns and the need for more space; the case also concerns the heritage building of the Bombay High Court and allotment of additional lands.
Court's Push for Speed
State's Phased Timeline
Land handover deadline
Court's Push for Speed
On May 18, the Supreme Court asked the Maharashtra government to expedite the handover of the remaining 10 acres of land for the new Bombay High Court complex.
State's Phased Timeline
The state says some buildings on the site are still occupied by government employees and High Court staff, and sought an extension till August 31, with the balance transferred by December 31.
Heritage building vs. new complex
Court's Push for Speed
The Supreme Court is hearing a suo motu case concerning the heritage building of the Bombay High Court, reflecting concern over the existing 1878-era structure.
State's Phased Timeline
The state is moving ahead with plans for a new complex in Bandra, citing safety concerns and the need for more space.
Key facts
- New complex location
- Bandra-Kurla complex, Mumbai
- Total land allocated
- 30.16 acres
- Land handed over so far
- 23.7 acres
- Remaining land to be handed over
- 5.4 acres (2.5 by Aug 31, balance by Dec 31)
- Bid selection target
- End of December
- Statutory permissions required
- Around 45
- Bombay High Court founded
- August 16, 1862
- Current building occupied since
- November 1878, near Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk)
Quotes
Advocate General Milind Sathe
Representing the Maharashtra state government before the Supreme Court
“by the end of December the whole process of selection of bids will be completed”
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