Despite significant opposition from local residents and civic groups, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has inaugurated a seafood plaza at Carter Road promenade. The plaza, which opened on May 2, is aimed at promoting the cultural heritage of Mumbai’s indigenous Koli (fishing) community.
Managed by self-help groups of Koli women, the seafood stalls will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.BMC officials assert that the project is intended to preserve and celebrate the coastal culture of the city’s original inhabitants. However, several resident groups have raised concerns about its legality and potential environmental and public safety risks.
The Impact Group, a coalition of residents from Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz, argues that the plaza was set up in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules and accuses the BMC of ignoring objections from locals who view the plaza as an encroachment on public space.
The group also alleges that cooking practices at the site, including the use of gas cylinders and open flames, are prohibited in public areas and claim the plaza is operating without necessary permissions, such as a no-objection certificate from the fire department and a health department licence.In defence of the project, Dinesh Pallawad, Assistant Commissioner of BMC’s H West ward, explained that food is prepared off-site and that stalls are limited to operating three days a week. He assured that staff had been deployed to manage cleanliness and prevent littering.
The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has acknowledged the complaints and instructed the Mumbai suburban collector to investigate whether the project complies with CRZ regulations. A report is expected within 15 days, with appropriate action to be taken if violations are confirmed.The project has sparked a division in public opinion, with some supporting the initiative as a way to empower local Koli women, while others voice concerns over its environmental impact.
Source : Hindustan Times.
