Fishermen demand SIT Inquiry into the sale of Crowford Market plot

The Akhil Maharashtra Macchimar Samiti (AMMS)has demanded an SIT inquiry into the auction sale of the plot of Crowford Market to Ava Developers LLP at throwaway price, although the plot was reserved for the Government offices.

The AMMS President Devendra Damodar Tandel said that the whole deal is shrouded in mystery since the plot has been allotted to the Ava Developers flouting all regulations since this company was set up hardly two years back (October 13,2023)  and does not fulfill the required criteria. A bidder should have annual turn over of Rs 500 crpre and the assets worth Rs 200 crore in the last three years. Despite this the plot 90,000 square feet plot has been allotted just for Rs 369 crore on a nominal rent of Re one to Rs 1000 for the period of 30 years.

Over 348 long-established fish vendors and members of the Koli fishing community at Mumbai’s iconic Crawford Market have raised objections to an alleged move by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to displace them. According to the vendors, the BMC issued notices in February demanding that vendors vacate the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Fish Market, a space they have occupied for over five decades, and relocate their stalls to nearby footpaths.

Calling the action “inhumane”, the fishermen’s committee has responded with a counter-demand for an immediate reversal. Tandel, warned that the Koli community would stage a large-scale protest at the BMC headquarters if the civic body did not halt their relocation.

It contends that removing vendors from CTS No. 1500, which is the official land parcel housing the fish market, will cause severe disruptions. The area handles nearly 150 fish transport vehicles and thousands of vendors daily. According to the notice, the civic body asked the vendors to relocate to the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market. However, the committee argues that relocating their stalls here will lead to massive traffic congestion and safety hazards.

Instead, the committee demanded the construction of a new shed on the existing site with improved infrastructure. Urging the BMC to provide basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water, and seating for Koli fisherwomen, the committee submitted a memorandum to the Government. “The 90,000-square-foot market currently lacks essential facilities, making it difficult for both traders and customers,” said the Samiti’s Mumbai District President, Praful Bhoir.

The committee also called for a departmental inquiry into the actions of the BMC officials who were responsible for the relocation order. Nayana Patil, the women’s president of the committee, warned that the community would be forced to escalate protests if the plan isn’t withdrawn.

However, Manish Valanju, assistant commissioner (markets), denied the allegations. He clarified that vendors are not being moved to footpaths but to a temporary transit structure within the Crawford Market area. “They will eventually be shifted to a permanent building under the Crawford Market extension project,” he said.