Mumbai Civic Dispute: Fisherfolk Oppose BMC’s Basement Relocation Plan For Crawford Market Fish Section

Mumbai: The dispute between Mumbai’s local fishing community and the BMC over space allocation in the redeveloped Crawford Market shows no signs of easing. While the BMC plans to relocate the Phaltan road's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (CSM) Fish Market to a basement level in the new structure, the Mumbai Fish Dealers’ Association (MFDA) has strongly opposed the proposal. The civic body is now working to devise an alternative plan in an effort to win over the fish vendors and resolve the ongoing standoff.

The CSM market, a nearly 50-year-old structure comprising a basement, ground floor, and four upper levels, was declared structurally unsafe following a 2012 audit. Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL), the Bombay High Court directed the BMC in July 2021 to evacuate the premises and relocate 348 licensed fish vendors to alternative municipal markets.

However, the proposed relocation has faced stiff resistance from the fishing community, who fear it will severely impact their traditional livelihood. In light of the opposition, a formal meeting was recently held between representatives of the All Maharashtra Fisherfolk Action Committee (AMFAC) and officials from the BMC’s market department to discuss the community’s concerns and explore possible solutions.

Fisherfolk Resist Basement Move, Demand Ground Floor Allocation

Devendra Damodar Tandel, president of AMFAC, said, “We have demanded that the fish market be shifted to the ground floor, as running a business from the basement will not be viable. Alternatively, the BMC can develop a proper fish market on a nearby plot that is already reserved for public use.”

Plea to Stop Temporary Footpath Relocation Plans

He added that the fish vendors are unwilling to operate from footpaths and urged the civic body to immediately halt any plans for temporary relocation to such spaces. “We have submitted our list of demands and have requested that the next meeting be held with higher authorities involved in policy-making,” Tandel said.

BMC Reviewing Vendor Objections and Alternate Plans

Manish Valanju, Assistant Municipal Commissioner (in-charge of markets) said, “We have received the demand list from the fish vendors’ association and have directed our engineers to review the objections raised. We are examining whether adjustments can be made or if a more suitable plan can be worked out.”

CSM Market’s Legacy and Rs 2,000-Crore Annual Turnover at Stake

Established in 1971, this fish market has been a key economic hub for the fishing industry, generating an annual turnover of Rs 2,000 crore. Fisherfolk from across the Konkan coast including Vasai, Versova, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Malvan sell their catch here.

BMC Signs ₹369-Cr Redevelopment Deal With AAV Developers LLP

After the structure was declared dilapidated, the BMC vacated the building. Last month, the civic body leased the plot and issued a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) to AAV Developers LLP for a redevelopment project worth Rs 369 crore, under a 30-year lease agreement with an option to extend for another 30 years.