Fishermen decide to oppose Marina sports complex

Mumbai, June 1 (UNI) The fishing community here has decided to stage protests against the Mumbai Port Trust's (MbPT) proposed move to build a helipad and a Marina sports complex at the old Sassoon Dock.

Talking to newspersons today, Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti president Damodar Tandel said the MbPT has decided to build a helipad and a Marina sports complex at the old Sassoon Dock by demolishing the godowns and warehouses of the poor fishermen.

Moreover, the area will be made a restricted area and the passers-by other than the fishermen will have to pay an entry fee to enter the sports complex.

If the MbPT proposal gets a go-ahead, it will benefit only the rich and affect the fishing business, he explained.

''Therefore, they are opposing the Marina sports and helipad to be built at Sassoon dock,'' Mr Tandel said.

The Sassoon dock is the only dock in the city that is functional for 24 hours and around a crore rupees worth of fish is transported from here, he said while elaborating the reason for the protest.

The decision on the manner in which the protest will be held will be taken at an appropriate time, he informed.

The land of old Sassoon Dock belongs to the MbPT and the new Sassoon Dock belongs to the Agriculture Ministry of the Indian Government, he said.

The Sassoon Dock employs around 50,000 people and is also a source of income for the MbPT. The fishing community owns 21,000 fishing boats and goes upto Vengurla in search of fish, Mr Tandel said, adding that if the project gets completed, their source of livelihood will be threatened.

He said in case a new boat comes into the sea, the boatmen are the first to notice it, thereby alerting the authorities in case of any danger.

''It is the fishermen who protect the city and the state from foreign elements,'' he added.

UNI