September 27, 2025: A year after completion, two new buildings in Phase 2 of the 154-year-old redeveloped Crawford Market are yet to receive an Occupation Certificate (OC) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). “In the new building, Block 3 for fish vendors and Block 4 for mutton vendors are completed. The OC from the BMC is in process,” said Abha Narian Lambah, the conservation architect leading the redevelopment project.
Officially known as the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai, Crawford Market underwent Phase 1 restoration from 2015 to 2018. Phase 2 comprises four new blocks, a one-acre open plaza, and basement parking. Vendors from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Fish Market and Dadar Fish Market are scheduled for rehabilitation in the redeveloped complex.
Civic activists have expressed concern over the delays. “If the section for fish vendors is ready, why has their relocation not happened? Fish vendors trading on roads create traffic congestion, worsened by the closure of Elphinstone Bridge,” said Chetan Kamble. Residents of Swarajya CHS recently met MP Anil Desai and Deputy Municipal Commissioner Zone II, demanding the permanent removal of the fish market from Senapati Bapat Marg.
Activist Kamlakar Shenoy criticised the BMC for permitting vendors to operate on roads, arguing it violates municipal regulations. “Neither the MRTP Act nor the MMC Act allows hawkers to conduct business on streets. The BMC now plans to relocate the fish market to sheds on MRA Marg,” he added.
Funding constraints and development plan issues are cited as reasons for the delay. Shenoy noted, “The BMC has been redeveloping Crawford Market for ten years, but lack of funds has slowed progress.” The corporation estimates at least 18 months before the building is fully ready for occupation.
Meanwhile, work on the open plaza and basement parking continues. Lambah explained, “Excavation reaches 11 metres below ground using diamond cutters. Completing this without relocating vendors is challenging and will take at least another year.”
Source: The Free Press Journal
