BMC to pay TISS Rs 1.50-cr to draft compensation policy

This is for the fisherfolk of Worli whose livelihood has been affected due to the construction of the road; a union says their primary demand was for a redesign

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will appoint the Tata Institute of Social Sciences to draft a compensation policy for the fisherfolk of Worli who are affected due to the Coastal Road. A study for the same is supposed to be conducted within 9 months and the cost to draft a compensation policy is Rs 1.50 crore. A fisherfolk union has alleged that an assurance of compensation is not in line with their primary demand of a redesign in the road. 

More than 45 per cent of the work of the 10.58 km long coastal road is now complete. After strong opposition from the fisherfolk in Worli Koliwada, the BMC decided to appoint a committee for a one-time compensation. As per the proposal to the standing committee which will come for the discussion on Tuesday, the BMC will appoint TISS to make a draft for compensation. 

“We need compensation, as the Coastal Road has affected our livelihood. They built a ramp to construct the road which they will remove only after 2 to 3 years. It has blocked our access. They are not allowing us to fish at some spots. We hope the compensation committee will look into all the aspects. But more than that, our primary demand is to increase the span between interchanges of the Coastal Road,” said Nitesh Patil, president of the Worli Koliwada Nakhava Matsyavyavsay Sahakari Society. 

The fisherfolk have demanded a navigation span of 200 metres between the two columns of the Coastal Road connector. In response to the ongoing protests, the BMC reiterated that the civic body was providing a higher navigational span – 60 metres – than mandated by the guidelines issued by the Inland Waterways Authority of India.

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