Agency of MMRDA to survey the affected fishermen

Sakaal News service

Mumbai, 15: MMRDA has ordered a re-survey regarding financial compensation to fishermen affected by the Mumbai Trans Harbor Link project. This step has been taken after the fishermen demanded to repeat last year's survey in this regard, as it was flawed.

In the project, a bridge will be constructed between Sewri and Nhava on Mumbai Island. A survey of about 1500 fishermen affected by the construction of the bridge was conducted in June last year. But since the bridge will permanently disrupt the fishing industry, the locals say that the government's compensation of Rs 6 lakh is too little. Therefore, they have written to the MMRDA demanding an increase in the amount. Based on the letter, MMRDA has decided to appoint a new agency to survey the fishermen, interact with them, clear the misconceptions about the project and determine their compensation amount.

Even after the survey last year, the authority received complaints that some fishermen were not counted in it. Therefore, it has been decided to conduct a new survey, and if the concerned fishermen come under the criteria of financial compensation, a minimum compensation of 1 lakh to a maximum of 6 lakhs will be given, said Sanjay Karhade, Assistant Commissioner of MMRDA. Nitesh Koli, a fisherman from Trombay village says - t he amount MMRDA is paying as lump sum compensation is more than the revenue it earns annually from the fishing business. Our permanent employment is about to cease. Traditional business has to be closed and other work has to be done. Therefore, at least the authorities should consider it.Demand for government jobs

Fishermen say that the criteria by which farmers' losses should be assessed should be the same for them too. Due to the pollution caused by the work, the fish are not available as before. Therefore, Ujwala Patil, a member of the Maharashtra Fishermen's Action Committee, has demanded that one member of the family should be given a government job.