Mumbai News: Residents' Littering, Local Koli's Livelihood; Seafood Plaza On Carter Road Sparked Worries
Mumbai: The debate over the proposed seafood plaza on the Carter Road promenade is turning into a tussle between residential localities, which have come up in the last few decades, and the Koli community – the area's original inhabitants. The former argued that the plaza will obstruct walking areas and lead to the issue of littering, the latter countered that it's a matter of their livelihood.
The Bandra residents have expressed reservations against the civic body's plan to set up the plaza for empowering the local self-help groups (SHG). However, groups like Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP), which represents Mumbai's indigenous Catholic community, and the Koli associations have supported the project. Bhavesh Vaity, a college professor who is the secretary of the Akhil Koli Samaj Va Sanskruti Samvardhan Samaj, said the plaza was suggested as one of the livelihood projects for the local community.
“There is one such facility in Mahim. The stalls will help local SHGs,” said Vaity, adding that unlike the new residential localities, the fishermen have been here for centuries. Echoing similar sentiments, Vicky Misquitta, who leads the Bhumiputra rights and social justice cell of MGP, said, “We Bhumiputras, the indigenous residents, have lost our identity. When we finally woke up, we found that everything had been taken from us. We need projects like this to keep our heritage alive.” While those opposing the stalls said they do not want any new facilities in the area. “The promenade should always remain a place for walking. No other activities should be allowed. The area has too many food stalls and hawkers already,” said Madhu Poplai, secretary of the Pali Hills Residents Association.
Residents of other seafacing localities are worried that the plan could be replicated in areas like Bandstand. “The project will not just affect Carter Road but also other parts of Bandra. We support the Carter Road residents,” said Maria D'Souza, chairperson of Mount MaryKane Road advanced locality management. The food plaza's supporters said the concern that stalls will occupy the entire promenade is unfounded. “The stalls will probably occupy 70 to 80 metres of the two-kmplus road. It is unconstitutional if they say they have the fundamental right to oppose the project,” said Vaity.
“We will say that the land belongs to us as we are the indigenous people of this area,” the professor asserted. Sanjeev D'Souza, Bandra resident and H-West ward coordinator for Citizens Action for Good Governance and Networking in India forum, said the local MLA Ashish Shelar has indicated that the stalls will be located at the Danda-end of the promenade. If that is so, the walking areas will not be affected and the stalls can generate economic activity for the local community, said D'Souza. “The idea sounds plausible. However, the municipal corporation should not build something else and keep to the current plans,” he added.
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