October 21, 2025: Women fish vendors at Lokmanya Tilak Market, Grant Road, have accused a developer of exerting pressure to vacate their stalls ahead of a proposed redevelopment. The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (AMMKS), representing the vendors, stated that the market has been the livelihood hub for over 300 Koli women since 1960.
Punit Tandel, secretary of AMMKS, said, “Without any formal redevelopment approval from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the developer has allegedly illegally rented a shop inside the market to set up a private office, using it to exert pressure and influence over licence-holding vendors and traders.” He added, “Such action is blatantly illegal under municipal norms and has created a sense of fear and unrest among the women vendors. We have written to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani demanding immediate and strict action against the developer.”
AMMKS pointed out that under Section 92 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, municipal property must be used strictly for its designated purpose. The use of market shops for office purposes, they said, constitutes an unauthorised “change of user.”
The vendors have sought a meeting with municipal authorities to ensure that redevelopment is carried out transparently, under BMC’s supervision, and with full participation of the vendors.
Nayana Patil, president of AMMKS’ women’s unit, said, “We demand complete transparency, fairness, and protection of vendor interests in this entire redevelopment process. We will not tolerate any form of pressure, intimidation, or unilateral decision-making by either the developer or the Corporation. If our demands are ignored, we will take to the streets after Diwali and launch a mass public agitation against the BMC.”
Source: The Free Press Journal