The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (AMMKS) has demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into the Grant Road Cluster Redevelopment Project, alleging financial and procedural irregularities in the approval process and claiming that municipal land at the historic Lokmanya Tilak Market is being used to benefit private developers.
Addressing a press conference, AMMKS president Devendra Damodar Tandel said the organisation had submitted a representation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking an independent investigation into the redevelopment project. The committee has also urged the state government to immediately suspend the Annex II approval granted for the project.
According to the AMMKS, the Lokmanya Tilak Market, established in 1950, has supported the livelihoods of hundreds of Koli fisherwomen involved in the traditional fish trade for decades. The organisation claimed that the proposed cluster redevelopment could adversely impact their long-standing source of income.
The committee also alleged procedural lapses in the approval process. Referring to documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, it claimed that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Legal Department had advised that further action should be taken only after the execution of a registered Joint Venture (JV) agreement with the developers and compliance with all prescribed legal requirements.
However, the AMMKS alleged that despite the absence of documentary evidence confirming such compliance, and with another private company reportedly submitting only an undertaking to execute the JV agreement at a later stage, the BMC’s Market Department proceeded to issue the Annex II approval.
Questioning whether the Legal Department’s advice had been overlooked, the organisation alleged possible administrative collusion and financial irregularities. It has called for the SIT to examine the financial relationship between the companies involved and determine whether valuable civic land was being used to further private commercial interests.
Responding to the issue, BMC officials could not be reached for comment. Assistant Commissioner Alka Sasane reportedly did not respond after indicating she would revert, while Joint Commissioner (Markets) Sanjog Kabre did not respond to calls or messages seeking the civic body’s response.
“The Koli community is not opposed to development. However, we strongly oppose any development that comes at the cost of the traditional livelihood of indigenous fishing communities or is tainted by allegations of corruption and procedural irregularities,” Tandel said.
The AMMKS warned that if an independent inquiry is not initiated, it will intensify democratic protests across Maharashtra. Tandel also announced plans for a protest march involving Koli fisherwomen, traders and community members, while stating that the organisation would approach the courts to challenge the Annex II approval and seek a stay on the project until due legal procedures are followed.
Source: The Free Press Journal
