India, May 29 -- The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday declined to intervene in the Rs.299 crore passenger jetty project near the Gateway of India, observing that the project serves the public interest. Instead, the apex court urged the Bombay High Court to expedite hearings on the pending petitions challenging the development.

"Something good is happening in Mumbai. Now you can reach Versova from South Mumbai in 40 minutes, which used to take three hours," said Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, citing the Coastal Road as a successful example of contentious yet transformative infrastructure.

The bench remarked that opposition to such projects often stemmed from a "Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)" mindset. "Everyone opposed the Coa...