Mumbai: The city's first Seafood Plaza at Mahim Koliwada, launched last November, has remained closed post-monsoon. While the stalls were shut from June to September due to the monsoon fishing hiatus, internal conflicts among Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHG) and unresolved issues by the civic body have kept the plaza closed even after the season ended.
The Seafood Plaza was intended to be a vibrant culinary hub, where locals and visitors could savor the freshest seafood by the sea. It was operated by 14 women’s SHG, with necessary resources provided by the BMC's G North Ward.
This includes tables, chairs, electrical lighting, and waste collection systems. Each group has set up attractive gazebo-like structures with electric lights. The concept boosted the local tourism and also built a pathway for the Women's SHG in Mahim Koliwada towards financial stability.
This Seafood Plaza was closed during the monsoon season and was expected to reopen in October. However, political interference and internal disputes within the SHGs have kept it closed.
"Some local representatives tried to allot stalls to women’s SHG of their choice, which we will not tolerate. Unfortunately, BMC turned a blind eye on the issue," said a member of one of the women’s SHG.
Their frustration became evident during the state assembly elections when a video went viral showing a fisherwoman in Mahim shutting the door of her house to one of the political candidate contesting from Mahim constituency.
Meanwhile, a senior civic official said, "We have sent a letter to woman SHG instructing them to start their business from this month." Sharmila Naik, chairperson, Mahim Koliwada woman self help group said, "The Seafood Plaza was meant to reopen in September, but in the beginning there was no response from the local body. Also, disputes over stall allocation, influenced by political representatives, caused delays. Due to political pressure, the plaza has remained closed for nearly three months. After the elections, the issue was resolved, and discussions are now ongoing among the three societies and SHGs about prioritising local fisher women."
