The Maharashtra government on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it will complete the bid process for the construction of the new Bombay High Court buildi

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was hearing the suo motu proceedings concerning the preservation of the Bombay High Court's heritage building and the allotment of additional land for expansion of the court's infrastructure.

Appearing for the State, Advocate General Milind Sathe apprised the Bench of the progress made in implementing the project.

Sathe informed the Court that the Steering Committee had held a meeting with representatives of all Bar Associations and the Bar Council, during which the concerns of all stakeholders were addressed.

"A meeting was held of the Steering Committee with all Bar Associations and the Bar Council. Everybody's concerns were taken care of and the conceptual plans were finalised on July 23," he submitted.

He stated that structural drawings, architectural plans and construction plans are presently being prepared by the appointed architect, a process expected to take around eight weeks. Following this, the project will move to the tender stage. According to Sathe, the tender process and finalisation of the successful bidder will require another eight weeks, and "by the end of December the whole process of selection of bids will be completed."

On the issue of land transfer, Sathe said the State had originally undertaken to hand over the land by July 31. However, because certain buildings on the site remain occupied by government employees and Bombay High Court staff, the State sought an extension until August 31.

He informed the Court that 23.7 acres of land have already been handed over. Of the remaining 5.4 acres, 2.5 acres will be handed over by August 31, while the balance will be transferred by December 31.

Sathe also told the Bench that the project requires around 45 statutory permissions. Applications for some approvals have already been submitted, while the remaining permissions will be sought once the architectural plans are finalised.

To recap, the Supreme Court took up the present suo motu case in 2024 in connection with allotment of additional land for a new building of the Bombay High Court, keeping in view the speedily dilapidating condition of the existing 150-year old structure.