Mumbai: BMC fails to meet compensation deadline for Worli fishermen affected due to coastal road

Cleavland Bunder near Worli Koliwada, where BMC has agreed to the demand to increase the span between pillars to 120 metres. Pic/Shadab Khan

The fisherfolk in Worli Koliwada have allowed the BMC to resume work on the coastal road, after officials agreed to their demand to increase the span between pillars to 120 metres at Cleavland Bunder, but compensation still eludes them.

Fisherfolk told mid-day that they are being made to run around in circles for compensation that they duly deserve. The construction of the coastal road began four years ago. In 2021, the BMC appointed Tata Institute of Social Science to draft a compensation policy to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore, after fishermen stopped authorities from carrying out construction work of the bridge. When the policy draft was revealed in November 2022, the representatives of the Worli fisherfolk rejected it. "There were errors in the policy. We highlighted the issues. The ramp to build the bridge has blocked our access, and it will stay put for at least 2.5 to 3 years. So we need annual compensation till the year the ramp is completely removed," said another fisherman from Worli.

Civic body officials assured that they would finalise a compensation soon, but thereafter, pushed the deadline by a week every time. Finally, last month, the BMC in a letter mentioned that TISS was working on a revised compensation policy and requested cooperation for timely completion of the project.

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"The BMC has assured us that they will come up with a compensation policy soon. Now, when we ask the BMC about compensation, they tell us that the report is yet to be submitted by the TISS. When we enquire with TISS, they say they will submit it within a week. Isn't there any deadline?" asked Nitesh Patil, president of the Worli Koliwada Nakhwa Matsya Vyavsay Sahakari Society.

He said the compensation should be in accordance with the earnings of the fisherfolk and for at least 10 years. "Our livelihood will be affected for a lifetime as these fishing spots have been destroyed in the construction. We are not asking for a lifelong package, but at least we should get money to stand on our feet," said Patil.

More than 68 per cent of the work on the 10.58-km-long coastal road is complete and the BMC aims to complete it by December 2023. When contacted, Ashwini Bhide, additional commissioner of the BMC, did not respond to calls or messages.