Mumbai: With the new government in place, fishermen from Worli Koliwada are looking forward to avail relief from the losses incurred due to lack of fishing activities since August.
Moreover, they are expecting to meet chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who had earlier promised to speak to them, over the coastal road project.
The fishermen said that due to the monsoon followed by back-to-back cyclones like Vayu, Kyarr and Maha, they were not able to get an adequate catch.
Harishchandra Nakhwa, former chairman of the Worli Koliwada Nakhwa Matsya Vyavasay Cooperative Society, has claimed losses to the tune of Rs 12 lakh.
“While there was very little catch in September, many fishermen came with no catch at all during several trips in October. For a long period, we could not even venture into the sea due to the weather department’s warnings during the cyclones. The smaller fishermen with traditional boats incurred losses up to Rs 5 lakhs while fishermen with bigger boats suffered losses up to Rs 12 lakhs, including diesel and workforce costs,” he said.
The fishermen also said that the ongoing work on the coastal road has hampered fishing activities at sites where reclamation had already been carried out.
“This year, reclamation at stretches near Worli has already impacted the catch of commercial fish like Bhetki, Katla and Indian Salmon. We urge the Shiv Sena-led government to look into the matter and prevent reclamation at these sites,” said Nitesh Patil, another fisherman from Worli Koliwada.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had ordered an interim stay on the construction of the coastal road.
Fisherfolks from Worli, which is represented by Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray, said that they are still waiting for Mr Thackeray to fulfill his pre-poll promise.
“The year is nearing its end and no assurance has been given by Mr Thackeray who had in February promised us that he would hold a meeting. We have faith in the new government and hope that it provides a solution,” said a fisherman.
