September 27, 2025: Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar has directed that fisherfolk affected by the Coastal Road and Bandra-Versova Sea Link projects be compensated in line with the standards set by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The Koli community residing in Khar Danda Koliwada is expected to face significant losses in their fishing trade due to the construction of the Bandra-Versova Sea Link. While the state government has promised compensation, differences have emerged between its guidelines and those laid down by the BMC. Shelar has insisted that the compensation model framed by the civic body for the Coastal Road stretch built under its supervision should serve as the benchmark. He further emphasised that these norms ought to be applied across the entire Coastal Road corridor, extending from Khar Danda through Versova up to Bhayandar.
Citing precedent, Shelar noted that fisherfolk displaced by the Worli Sea Link project had received compensation in accordance with BMC norms. However, in the present case, the state government’s compensation package has been comparatively lower, leading to dissatisfaction among the affected community.
Responding to grievances raised by the Koli community, Shelar convened a joint meeting with representatives of the Mumbai Maritime Board, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the BMC. During the discussions, he instructed officials to harmonise the compensation process by incorporating BMC’s guidelines into the state government’s ordinance. Necessary amendments, he added, should be introduced without delay to ensure fairness and consistency in rehabilitation efforts.
The directive is being viewed as a crucial step in safeguarding the livelihood of Mumbai’s traditional fishing community, which has long voiced concerns about the impact of large-scale coastal infrastructure projects on its survival.
Source: The Indian Express
