The project affected fishermen by the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) will be receiving 100 percent compensation from Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) after a survey revealed that the fishing activity will take a hit due to the project.The survey revealed that fishing activity on the 250 metres upstream and downstream each, along the central line of the link would be affected. Upstream is situated in the opposite direction from that in which a stream flows while downstream is situated in the direction in which a stream flows. Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) appointed OCGL, a Japanese company as a consultant, who started conducting fishermen compensation survey on December 2015, it revealed that the fishing activity of the fishermen belonging to seven villages situated at both ends of the sea link will be affected. The list of affected villages includes Sewri, Mahul, Trombay, Gavan, Belpada, Moha and Kombadhduje which are situated at both ends of the sea link. Sanjay Khandare, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA said, Since the fishing activity was found to be affected, the compensation was divided into four categories based on the various fishing methods. Out of the four categories, those fishermen using diesel boats and fixed nets for fishing activity will be receiving 100 percent compensation. The category of fishermen whose fixed area of fishing activity would be affected due to the construction of the bridge will be receiving 50 percent compensation. While some fisherman who catches fishes and crabs without using any equipment will also be receiving 50 percent compensation. A total compensation of Rs 5,84,000 will be handed over to only those fishermen who uses fixed nets and diesel boats for their fishing activity which were found to be largely affected due to the project. Fisherman using diesel boats for fishing activity are likely to take a detour because of the pier structures (columns) after the construction of the sea link. The detour will cause them to pay extra fuel cost and hence a total compensation would be given to the fishermen using boats after calculating the distance of the detour that are likely to be taken by the fishermen, added the official. The fishing activity of the fishermen using fixed nets that are anchored into the sea for catching fishes will also be largely affected due to the pier structures of the bridge which would disturb their fishing activity, revealed the survey. Officials from Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) situated in Pune also surveyed the effect of the bridge on the velocity of water. An MMRDA official on the basis of anonymity said, The survey by CWPRS revealed that the construction of the bridge will have no change in the velocity of water and hence will not affect the fishes who survive at a particular velocity of water in the sea. Once the survey report is prepared by the Japanese based consultant, it will be submitted to the Maharashtra Fisheries Department for approval, who will then decide the number of fisherman who are legally eligible to receive the compensation amount. MMRDA will be handing over the compensation to the fishermen only after the approval is received by the fisheries department, added a MMRDA official.
Indian National Press (Bombay) Private Limited 2016.