'We Discussed Their Suggestions And Changes': Ports Development Minister Nitesh Rane On Crawford Fish Market Redevelopment Project

Mumbai: After the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (CSM) Market was declared unsafe, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to relocate the fish vendors to a modern facility as part of the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market Redevelopment Project (Crawford Market), the civic body announced on Tuesday.

Speaking about the matter, the Minister of Ports Development of Maharashtra, Nitesh Rane, said, "Regarding the fish market near Crawford Market, we had a meeting today with the leaders of our fishermen’s association, including Balwan Pawar, Devendra Dhandel, and others. We discussed their suggestions and the changes they’re seeking. The government is positive about the matter."

"After all, it's their business, and whether it's the municipality or the government, we have to create a better setup for them so their problems are reduced, " as reported by the news agency IANS.

According to fish vendors, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had issued notices in February instructing them to vacate the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (CSM) fish market, where many have been working for over 50 years, and shift to a nearby footpath. This directive faced strong resistance from the vendors and the Koli fishing community.

However, civic officials clarified, "After vacating the dilapidated market building, the process to lease the vacant plot through a public tender began nearly six months ago. The tender process has since concluded, and changes are no longer possible at this stage."

The CSM Market, a structure approximately 50 years old, comprising a basement, ground floor, and four additional floors, was found to be highly unsafe following a structural audit conducted in 2012. In light of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Bombay High Court ordered the authorities to prioritise public safety. Consequently, the BMC evacuated the premises in July 2021 and relocated 348 licensed fish vendors to various alternative municipal markets.

A senior civic official stated, “Since the building was declared dangerous, fish vendor representatives, the Koli community, and local political leaders have consistently appealed for the vendors to be rehabilitated in the same vicinity to prevent disruption to their business.”