India, Feb. 17 -- The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) has shut the stone slipway, also known as Jetty No 5, at the Gateway of India, instructing boat operators to dock their craft at the floating pontoon instead. The pontoon, built and operated by the Royal Bombay Yacht Club (RBYC) 18 months ago, entails a fee of around Rs.90 per person, a deterrent to boat operators and the public. The port authority, which manages navigation at the Gateway of India, is enforcing its directive due to overcrowding that is raising safety concerns.

The directive applies to the slipway only, not to the other jetties (Nos 0 to 4), used by traditional and modern ferries to ply to Mandwa, Alibag, JNPA and Elephanta.

Until now, the slipway, a part of the heritage...