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Smelly Sasson Docks set to get a Rs53 crore makeover

The fishing harbour see fishermen from Mumbai, Karanja, Rewas, Alibag, Uran, Mora, Murud, Srivardhan and even from areas as far as Palghar and Thane bring their catch for sale to commission agents and exporters.

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It is a bonanza for fish lovers with the state government deciding to give a facelift to the otherwise smelly Sasson Docks, one of the largest salt-water fish markets and landing harbours located in Colaba, with the setting up of fish restaurants and retail outlets! The Rs52.71-crore project will also see the construction of a ship museum, a new auction hall, deepening of the basin and mechanisation of fish handling facilities at the dock.

The fishing harbour see fishermen from Mumbai, Karanja, Rewas, Alibag, Uran, Mora, Murud, Srivardhan and even from areas as far as Palghar and Thane bring their catch for sale to commission agents and exporters. It was built in 1875 on reclaimed land by David Sassoon and Company, owned by Albert Abdullah David Sassoon.

"The project will consist of renovation of the old and new Sassoon docks, deepening of the basin, modernisation of the existing auction halls and addition of a new auction hall," said Bijay Kumar, principal secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries. Mechanisation would be undertaken with the setting up of cold chain and washing facilities, and restrooms.

Kumar said fish restaurants and shops retailing fish in a hygienic manner would be part of the project and be set up near the entrance of the docks. A ship model and ship museum would be established with entry from the botanical garden, thus providing recreational facilities. "Today, while Malvani food is popular, Koli food is little known. These restaurants will boost demand for this cuisine," said a fisheries department official.

The project would be funded in equal proportion by the state government and the Union Ministry of Agriculture. The state has made a provision of Rs15 crore for it, while the Centre would contribute an equal amount. The Sassoon docks are spread over a 5.39 hectare area – 1.11-hectare old Sassoon docks and 4.28-hectare new Sassoon docks.

"The construction period will be two years. But we cannot stop activity there, so construction of restrooms, cold rooms and deepening of the Victoria basin will be taken up after which (work on) the old Sassoon docks (will be started)," Kumar said, adding that the project would be undertaken in phases.

Early warning systems for fishermen would also be in place along with satellite-based fish tracking.

"This modernisation plan will transform the Sassoon docks into the most advanced such facility in India," said Arun Shinde, MD, Maharashtra State Fisheries Development Corporation, adding that the two existing sheds, each at the new and old Sassoon docks, would be refurbished and a new shed would be built in the old docks. Each shed would have 16 counters.

"Now, the sewage water at the old Sassoon docks mixes with seawater. After fish auctions, the remains are also thrown into the sea," he noted, adding that a new sewage system, effluent treatment plant and solid waste management would ensure hygiene.

Mechanised belts, jet pumps to clean fish, workshops for repairing boats, road concretisation, a navigation centre and a modern ice plant have also been planned. The proposal would be tabled before the cabinet, after which a project management consultant (PMC) would be appointed.

The Sassoon docks cater for 972 fishing boats of 16-metre length and each boat harvests around 6,000 kg fish per trip. The average annual fish landing is 48,000 tons, 25-30% of which is exported. The docks provide employment to around 10,000 fishermen and the total number of beneficiaries is 30,000 to 40,000.

Welcoming the plans for the long-delayed project, fishermen leader Parshuram Meher admitted that the harbour lacked adequate amenities. "There are no facilities for drinking water, restrooms and sheds for those who repair fishing nets. The docks have not been repaired and silting in the navigation channel has led to trouble for fishing boats," he pointed out, noting that this was despite the fact that the docks were the largest such facility in Maharashtra in terms of turnover.

The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), which is vested with 1 hectare of land with the state controlling the balance, has already given its NOC for the development. The Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF) is MbPT's advisor for the project.

According to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2015-16, during the fiscal, up to December, marine and inland fish production (provisional) was 3.40 lakh MT and 1.25 lakh MT, respectively. During 2014-15, it was 4.64 lakh MT and 1.44 lakh MT respectively.

Size of continental shelf: 1,11,512sqkm

720km coastline spread over six coastal districts
Number of coastal villages: 406
Fish landing centres: 173
Active (full-time) fishermen: 54,901
Number of major fishing harbors: 3
(Source: Department of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra and Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2015-16)

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