Oldest Fishing Port of Mumbai, Sassoon Dock, Braces for OncomingTurmoil
In the heart of Mumbai, a dispute is brewing that raises concerns about the future of the city's waterfronts. At the centre of this conflict is Sassoon Dock, Mumbai's oldest fishing harbour and a cultural hub for the Koli community.
The dispute revolves around leases and overdue rent for the godowns at Sassoon Dock. The Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT) is seeking to evict these godowns, escalating a dispute with the Maharashtra government and the seafood suppliers near me.
The Maharashtra State Fisheries Development Corporation (MFDC) had leased the dock godowns from MBPT and sublet them to seafood suppliers and traders. However, MBPT alleges that the state corporation failed to pay at official rates, causing arrears and legal action.
The eviction of the godowns would disrupt supply chains, affecting both small fish markets and large export shipments. The godowns at Sassoon Dock are essential for Mumbai's seafood economy, facilitating fish landings, auctions, and cold storage.
Seafood suppliers at Sassoon Dock claim they have paid rent to the MFDC and have valid receipts. Yet, they have been labeled as "illegal sub-tenants" under the Port, Provident, and Easement (PPE) Act, leaving them legally invisible despite forming the backbone of Mumbai's seafood export chain.
Sassoon Dock is not just a place of commerce; it is a monument to Mumbai's maritime soul. For generations, it has been a significant part of the city's cultural and social fabric. The struggle for Sassoon Dock is about survival, memory, and the soul of Mumbai's oldest fishing harbour.
Krishna Pawle, the president of the Shiv Bharatiya Port Sena, a federation of 14 fisher associations, is a leader involved in representing the Sassoon Docks fishing community in Mumbai, particularly in disputes related to land leases and potential evictions by the Mumbai Port Authority.
Protests are imminent if the state government does not intervene to prevent forced eviction at Sassoon Dock. This battle pits a government body and its legal technicalities against a community bound by tradition, livelihood, and a determination to defend their heritage.
Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane had previously promised to protect Sassoon Dock. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the promise will be kept, and whether Sassoon Dock, a place of commerce and a symbol of Mumbai's maritime soul, will continue to thrive.
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