Versova-Bandra Sea Link project: Affected fishermen to get compensation within two months after TISS report, says Shinde

Fishermen affected by the VersovaBandra Sea Link project in Mumbai will receive compensation within two months of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences TISS submitting its report Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Thursday reported the PTIShinde made the announcement during an online meeting with officials to review issues faced by fishing communities affected by the infrastructure projectAccording to an official release TISS is conducting a study to determine the criteria for providing compensation to fishermen affected by the project the news agency reportedThe issue of fishermen who have not yet received compensation was raised during the meeting Eknath Shinde directed officials to address the matter and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the compensationThe Deputy Chief Minister said the payment process would be completed within two months after the TISS report is submittedJetties and fishing facilities discussedAccording to the PTI the meeting also discussed the need for infrastructure for fishermen in the JuhuVersova areaOfficials reviewed proposals for facilities including jetties netfixing areas and drying yards to support the local fishing communityThe discussions come amid concerns over the impact of major coastal infrastructure projects on traditional fishing activities in MumbaiFocus on affected fishing communityThe government is also examining measures to ensure that fishermen affected by the VersovaBandra Sea Link project have access to necessary facilities and compensationOfficials were asked to coordinate on the rehabilitation and infrastructure requirements of the fishing community according to the releaseFishermen announce protest rally against ManoriGorai desalination plantMeanwhile the Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti MMKS had earlier announced a protest rally on August 21 to oppose the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporationrsquos BMC proposed desalination plant at the ManoriGorai coastAccording to MMKS the rally will begin at 9 am from the Manori Ferry Boat Jetty and end with a public meeting at the proposed project site Fishermen and representatives of fishing communities from several coastal areas are expected to participateThe MMKS led by president Leo Colaso has raised concerns about the possible impact of the project on marine life and coastal ecologyThe fishermenrsquos group said that the proposed plant would draw around 500 million litres of seawater per day MLD and produce 200 MLD of freshwater It has claimed that the remaining 300 MLD of concentrated brine could affect marine biodiversity if discharged into the seaThe group has also sought clarity on the disposal of chemical sludge generated during the desalination processFishermen have expressed concern that the plantrsquos seawater intake and filtration system could affect juvenile fish and other small marine speciesThe MMKS said coastal fishing communities depend heavily on nearshore waters particularly after the monsoon fishing ban when fishermen expect to catch highvalue fish close to the shoreThe organisation fears that changes to the marine environment could affect fish stocks and the livelihoods of fishing familieswith PTI inputs