Now that locals have cleaned up Versova beach, the MTDC has proposed the construction of a jetty and beautification of the stretch. The proposal submitted to the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority includes recreation of a fish market, fish drying module, amphi-theatre, watch tower, board walk, jetty for local boats, shacks and toilets. The project is spread over 10 lakh sq ft. While the authority allowed fish market, fish drying shack module and toilets, it has pointed out that the beach requires nourishment. On the beautification front, the authority has asked the MTDC to explore options other than amphi-theatre and board walk as the area falls in Coastal Regulation Zones I, III and IV. Versova has a thriving fishing business with an annual turnover of Rs 400 crore. The village has over 300 fishing trawlers. Rajhans Tapke, general secretary Koli Mahasangh, said the government needs to promote fishing as an industry. “We need a fishing harbour here. Our fish is exported to Japan, China, Middle-East and Africa,” he said. Rajesh Mangela, resource person, Maharashtra Machchimar Kruti Samiti, said MTDC wants to promote activities without involving the fishing community. “They want to take away the natural resources on which we depend on for our livelihood. We are not against development but we want sustainable development and we want to be part of it,” he said. Mangela said everyone is aware that the sea and the Versova creek are used to dump untreated sewage. The authority said there should be no reclamation of the beach, no permanent construction in CRZ I area and the area should be declared a no-plastic zone.