The new alignment of the Bellasis Bridge at Mumbai Central has drawn the ire of the local fishing community. The widened bridge will encroach on a 50-year-old fish market where 36 fisherwomen earn their livelihood, putting their income at risk. The fisherwomen feel that their concerns are being ignored and say they are being treated as “step sisters” (savatra bahins) instead of “sisters” (ladki bahins) by the government. They have warned that they may boycott the upcoming elections in protest.

“Where will we go? This has been our only source of income. We are illiterate and do not understand the processes much. If our market is gone, we will all lose our livelihood. We are very angry and will boycott the upcoming election process if we are not rehabilitated,” fisherwoman Ranjana Worlikar said.