Gadkari's public displeasure comes in the backdrop of the Navy declining permission for building a floating jetty at Malabar Hill in south Mumbai, where a floating hotel and seaplane service are planned.

REACTING SHARPLY to the Navy’s objections over the construction of a floating jetty at Malabar Hill in south Mumbai, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said Thursday that he will “never give an inch” of land to the force in the area, and asked Naval officials to “go to the Pakistan border”.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, in the presence of Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Gadkari said, “When they come to me asking for land in south Mumbai, I will never give an inch. Everyone wants to have houses and quarters in south Mumbai. Why should they live in south Mumbai? Why can’t they go to the Pakistan border, which they patrol?”

Gadkari was referring to the Navy asking the Mumbai Port Trust for land in south Mumbai for operations and housing its staff. Vice Admiral Luthra had written to the port trust on this issue in December 2016.

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