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6 months on, new HC complex work yet to start as design awaits final nod
Six months after the foundation stone was laid for the new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra East, construction has not started as final design approval is pending. The project was cleared by the Maharashtra cabinet in late 2025, but design objections and planning delays have slowed progress, with officials saying a decision will come after the court reopens post-vacation.
Why It Matters
The new complex aims to alleviate space constraints at the Fort building by providing a modern, larger judiciary facility, reflecting ongoing infrastructure efforts for Mumbai's judiciary.
Timeline
6 Events
Fort building background: original Fort building and its capacity
1878
The Bombay High Court Fort building, a Gothic-style structure, was built in 1878 and originally designed for 15 judges and seven courtrooms. It now houses 29 courts and 35 judges, with several benches operating from makeshift spaces, underscoring the need for a larger, modern complex.
Project remains at planning stage; final design nod pending
May 6, 2026
A senior high court official said the project remains at the planning stage with the design awaiting final approval, and a decision may come after the court reopens following summer vacation. The article notes the six months elapsed since the foundation stone was laid and that construction has yet to begin.
Maharashtra cabinet clears the project
December 2025
The Maharashtra cabinet cleared the ₹4,217 crore project in late 2025 for a new complex on a 30-acre plot in Bandra East, with space for 75 courts.
Criticism of the design as colonial in character
November 2025
Former judge Gautam Patel criticized the design, calling it colonial in character and saying it did not reflect Mumbai’s architectural styles or the city’s heritage.
Foundation stone laid for the new Bombay High Court complex, Bandra East
November 2025
Former chief justice of India BR Gavai laid the foundation stone for the ₹4,217 crore complex, six months before the May 2026 status report that the project has not yet started.
Design submitted by Hafeez Contractor and approved by high court steering committee
2025
The design for the proposed complex, intended to house 75 modern courtrooms on a 30-acre Bandra East plot, was submitted by Hafeez Contractor following a PWD-led competition and approved by the High Court’s steering committee. It features a four-storey main building with a semi-circular facade, a 70-metre central dome, and a 50-metre Ashoka pillar.