Mumbai: The BMC is planning to open its third seafood plaza at Khar Danda Koliwada in Khar West. This initiative will prioritise women from the local fishermen community, particularly those from the Women Self Help Group (WSHG), to manage and operate the seafood stalls.
However, following internal conflicts among the WSHG members at the first seafood plaza in Mahim, the BMC has decided to invite suggestions and objections regarding the new proposal. The deadline for submitting feedback is set for December 16.
The BMC has identified a location for the new seafood plaza at the backside of the Sherely Village bus stop, located on Carter Road in Khar. The mobile eateries at this location will be operated on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, where traditional Koli cuisine will be served to visitors.
The local WSHGs and fisherwomen in the Khar danda area will be given priority to set up their stalls. However, to ensure smoother operations and avoid the issues faced at the previous plaza, suggestions and objections have been invited from the locals of Khar Danda Koliwada before proceeding with the new venture, according to a senior civic official.
A notice board erected by the BMC’s H West ward office at the location states: ‘Local residents of Khar Danda who have any objections to the proposal are requested to submit a written objection to the H West ward office by next Monday. Please note that any objections received after this deadline will not be taken into consideration.’
To promote tourism and local food, the BMC decided to introduce “food on wheels” (mobile eateries) in all the Koliwadas last year. The city’s first Seafood Plaza at Mahim Koliwada was launched in November 2023, followed by another at Worli Koliwada.
However, the stalls that were shut from June to September due to the annual fishing hiatus did not reopen even after the season ended, owing to internal conflicts and political interference, said sources. The BMC’s G North ward office has now informed WSHG instructing them to start their business from this month.
