MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a relief measure for fisherfolks impacted by the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (south) by disbursing ₹15.4 crore as compensation. The beneficiaries, comprising 170 fishermen from the Worli-Koliwada and Lotus jetty area, received compensation with an 8% interest, according to Nitesh Patil, president of the Worli Koliwada Nakhava Matsya Vyavsay Sahakari Society (WKNMSS).
Expressing satisfaction with the commencement of the compensation disbursement process, Patil stated, “The BMC has finally started disbursing compensation. Fisherfolks are paid compensation with an 8% interest. We are happy that the disbursement process has begun.” The first phase of compensation disbursement began recently, and it is expected to continue until the completion of the construction work.
An official from BMC explained that the compensation strategy was devised due to the adverse impact of drilling, piling, noise, vibrations, and other construction-related activities, which led to significant losses for fisherfolks as fish breeding ceased in the affected area. The compensation, covering the period from October 2018 to October 2022, has been paid, with further compensation planned until the completion of the coastal road project.
To determine the compensation strategy, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) conducted a study on the affected fishermen in Worli and Haji Ali due to the coastal road project. In February of this year, TISS submitted its report to BMC, identifying 1,343 affected fishermen from Worli and Lotus jetty. The list was then sent to the fisheries department for verification.
The fisheries department received 521 proposals, of which 185 were shortlisted in the first phase and 336 in the second phase, according to the TISS report. Boat owners received compensation ranging from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh per year, as outlined in the compensation plan.
