Bombay High Court redesign sparks debate on civic architecture
Proposed Design A former Bombay High Court judge has criticised the proposed ₹4,127-crore Bandra court complex, calling its design “colonial” and insufficiently oriented toward litigants’ needs. While the project promises scale and modernisation, critics argue that the design prioritises imposing architecture over access, clarity and comfort — the core experience of people who must navigate the judicial system daily. This rare public debate signals a cultural shift: India is beginning to judge government buildings not by grandeur but by how they serve citizens. As courts, stations and hospitals undergo massive redevelopment, design justice becomes a key public expectation — not an afterthought.
As courts, stations and hospitals undergo massive redevelopment, design justice becomes a key public expectation — not an afterthought.