MUMBAI: Traditional fishing communities on Monday demanded an immediate halt to construction of the proposed 400-million-litres-per-day (MLD) desalination plant at Manori and cancellation of the ₹ 3,000-crore project, alleging that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and district administration had failed to address concerns over livelihoods, environmental damage and land approvals.
A delegation led by Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap met Mumbai suburban district collector Saurabh Katiyar, submitting a representation seeking a review of land approvals, a formal hearing on their objections and a stay on construction until the issues are resolved. The fishermen demanded that construction on revenue department land be stopped until a proposed meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis takes place. Kiran Koli, a fishing community leader, warned that hypersaline brine could damage marine ecosystems and fish populations, threatening livelihoods sustained by generations of fishing families. The delegation also challenged the project’s economic rationale. He argued that the BMC should address water management and unsustainable urban expansion before undertaking another major coastal infrastructure project. Jagtap backed the demand for an immediate suspension of construction until an amicable resolution is reached. The committee warned that it could launch further democratic protests if the administration failed to take a timely decision. It demanded a written response to its representation, insisting that a proposed meeting with the chief minister could not substitute for immediate action.
They also questioned how work could continue when, according to the delegation, the fisheries department had not issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the project. Leo Colaso, president of the Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (MMKS), said the Koli community would continue opposing the project until it was stopped. Ramkrishna Tandel, president of the National Fishworkers Forum, said water leakages and non-revenue water losses in Mumbai had not been accounted for. Bernard D’Mello, working president of AMKS, said unchecked construction and population growth were placing mounting pressure on the city’s water, land and air resources. The committee said the administration must examine the validity of land-related decisions, statutory approvals and environmental concerns before allowing work to proceed.
