After Bihar Bhavan plan, Kolis ask: When will Mumbai’s originals be developed?

Sharad Vasudeo Koli an advocate living in Worli Koliwada emailed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on January 20 Sharad Koli who is 50 years old said the immediate trigger for his communication was reports across mainstream media about ldquothe construction of a Bihar Bhavan at a cost of approximately Rs 314 crore in MumbairdquoThe Bihar Government has planned a modern multistorey Bihar Bhavan at Sandhurst Road on Mumbai Port Trust MbPT land The proposed Bihar Bhavan initial reports stated will be a ground plus 30floor structureldquoThisrdquo said Sharad Koli ldquoMade me mail our CM to prioritise development of Mumbairsquos indigenous Koli community and Koliwadasrdquo Sharad Koli asked in his email after referencing Bihar Bhavan ldquoWhen will focused and meaningful development be undertaken for Mumbairsquos indigenous Koli communityrdquoCoast homesSharad Koli added ldquoThe Kolis have lived along Mumbairsquos coastline for centuries They have always welcomed migrants with openness contributing to the social fabric and economic growth of the city Despite this the community continues to face systemic neglect when it comes to housing redevelopment livelihood protection and basic infrastructure improvementrdquoSharad Koli knows about living on the coastline He lives in Worli in the same home that his great great greatgrandfather and generations down that family tree have lived He said in his mail ldquoThe development of Koliwadas has been severely restricted due to Coastal Regulation Zone CRZ regulations and multiple central and statelevel laws As a result Koli families are unable to redevelop their ancestral homes improve living conditions or benefit from urban development enjoyed by other parts of the city At the same time major infrastructure projects such as the BandraWorli Sea Link BWSL and the Mumbai Coastal Road have significantly affected traditional fishing activities leading to loss of livelihood without adequate compensation or longterm rehabilitation measuresrdquoThe advocate outlined a slew of measuresThe measuresgtgt Introduction of a special Koliwada Development Policy for Mumbaigtgt Grant of additional special FSI for the redevelopment of Koliwadasgtgt Fasttrack and singlewindow approvals for redevelopment proposals in Koli settlementsgtgt Protection compensation and sustainable livelihood schemes for fishermen affected by coastal infrastructure projectsgtgt Recognition of Koliwadas as heritage and cultural settlements while allowing regulated and humane developmentNeed dignitySharad Koli insisted that he was not being lsquoentitledrsquo as an ldquooriginal inhabitantrdquo He said that just like any physical structure needs a secure base to start building on it so does a demographic system He said ldquoTrue inclusive development begins by strengthening those who have always belonged to this land Before allocating substantial public funds for symbolic or external infrastructure it is essential that the State ensures justice dignity and development for Mumbairsquos original inhabitantsrdquo He signed off the mail as a ldquoTrue concerned citizen of Mumbairdquo Sharad Koli said ldquoI am an advocate a sixth generation descendent of this family living in Worli and so can be a voice for his community I can see my email addressed to the CM has been sent to the Municipal Commissioner B Gagrani There are cynics who may question what correspondence may achieve but it is their attitude that needs questioningrdquoA balanceFor years now some Koliwada residents have been clamouring for the development green light Yet there is a section that thinks a way of life will be diluted with development Sharad Koli insisted ldquoIf Koliwadas are developed with vision it is possible to balance tradition and developmentrdquoSeveral point out that Sharad Koli is not a fisherman himself Sharad Koli said ldquoI am an advocate as my father was a government servant I am not a fisherman but here most of the community is into fishing That work needs to be protected While some youngsters from the community may veer away from fishing this is the Koli livelihood and its identity Somebody has to fish rightrdquo asked Sharad KoliThe advocate highlighted that Kolis understood that the megapolis is a magnet and it will naturally attract people for economic opportunities ldquoWe need though to safeguard those who have always been thererdquo he concluded