Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders and representatives of the fishing community in Worli met Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta on Monday to put forth their concerns regarding coastal road project. Mr. Mehta has assured them of finding an amicable solution in a couple of days, failing which the MNS has said it will not allow coastal road work to happen.
Most fishermen are opposed to the coastal road project primarily because its pillars will obstruct their boats and reduce their fishing area. They will have to go much deeper into the sea to get a catch. MNS chief Raj Thackeray met the fisherfolk on Sunday. Those present at the meeting with the commissioner on Monday were MNS leaders Bala Nandgaonkar, Sandip Deshpande, and Santosh Dhuri.
Rajaram Patil, a representative of the fisherfolk who attended the meeting, said, “According to law, we should have been rehabilitated. Nobody considers that. In fact, our fishing area is also being reduced. Where do we go?”
Mr. Deshpande said the commissioner has given an assurance. “Ideally, they should stop work until there is a solution. If that solution is not satisfactory to the fisherfolk, the MNS will resort to protests. We will not allow coastal road work to happen,” Mr. Deshpande said.
