Fishermen protest outside BMC headquarters for relocating them from Dadar market

BMC officials said the decision on relocating fish vendors was taken a few months back due to traffic jams on Senapati Bapat Marg and the expansion of the flower market.

The fishermen also alleged that they were not even informed about the BMC action.

Fishermen and representatives of the Koli community in Mumbai will protest outside the BMC headquarters on August 26, opposing what they claimed are actions taken by the corporation to push fish markets and fishmongers out of the city.

The call for the protest has been given by Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti’s (AMMKS) president Devendra Tandel, which will be attended by fishermen from Mumbai and areas like Palghar, Uran and Vasai.

Recently, a fish market in Dadar was demolished by the BMC and the traders were moved to Airoli. This led to protests with the fishermen alleging that authorities are planning to relocate members of the Koli community, who are the original inhabitants of Mumbai, outside the city. They also alleged that they were not informed about the BMC action beforehand.

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Civic officials said the decision on relocating fish vendors was taken a few months ago following traffic jams on Senapati Bapat Marg and the expansion of the flower market in Dadar.

Further, the Koli community is not happy with BMC’s earlier decision to move the fish market from Chhatrapati Shivaji market in Fort area near Manish Market. The market building was demolished four years ago due to its dilapidated condition.

“All fishermen should be given a designated area at Mumbai Port Trust land on the lines of Crawford Market, which is one of the biggest fruit markets in the city. Shivaji Market fishermen should also be allowed to do business at the same location,” said Tandel.

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