Bombay High Court Examines Light Pollution Allegations Against Marine Drive Gymkhanas
Mumbai, October 9, 2026: Gymkhanas along Marine Drive have come under scrutiny before the Bombay High Court over allegations that high-intensity floodlights and illuminated billboards are causing excessive glare, disturbing residents and affecting the environment. A petition filed by South Mumbai resident Nilesh Desai, an IT professional and astrophotographer, alleges that the problem has…
Mumbai's Marine Drive is facing scrutiny from the Bombay High Court over allegations of excessive light pollution caused by gymkhana establishments. An IT professional and astrophotographer, Nilesh Desai, has filed a petition detailing the issue, which he claims has persisted since 2016 despite complaints to authorities. The petition, filed through advocate Ronita Bhattacharya, highlights the negative impacts of high-intensity floodlights and illuminated billboards on residents' health, sleep, trees, and wildlife.
It cites a notice issued by Marine Drive police to Wilson Gymkhana in 2016, a 2017 meeting of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, and an order by the Mumbai Collector in 2018, all of which were ignored by the gymkhana managers. The petition also mentions high-mast lights installed during Mumbai Metro construction and Desai's letters to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation in 2019.
It seeks regulations to control light pollution, specifying permissible light levels, downward-shielded fixtures, and "dark sky" zones. The court has issued a notice to the state government and scheduled the matter for hearing on November 20.
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