AMMKS Demands SIT Probe Into Grant Road Market Redevelopment Project
The Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti (AMMKS) has demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the redevelopment of the historic Lokmanya Tilak Market at Grant Road in Mumbai. The fishermen's union alleges significant financial irregularities and improper land use by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to benefit private developers.
AMMKS president Devendra Damodar Tandel announced that the organisation has submitted a representation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The representation seeks an independent inquiry into the Grant Road Cluster Redevelopment Project and calls for the immediate suspension of the Annex II approval granted for the project.
According to the AMMKS, the Lokmanya Tilak Market was established in 1950 and has sustained the livelihoods of hundreds of traditional Koli fisherwomen for decades. The union argues that the proposed cluster redevelopment directly threatens this long-standing source of income.
The committee raised concerns over alleged procedural lapses, citing documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. According to these documents, the BMC's Legal Department had advised that further action on the project should only proceed after the execution of a registered Joint Venture (JV) agreement with the developers.
However, the AMMKS alleged that the BMC Market Department granted the Annex II approval despite the absence of documentary proof of compliance. The union claims that another private company had only submitted an undertaking to execute the JV agreement at a later stage.
The union has questioned whether the Legal Department's advice was ignored, alleging possible administrative collusion. The requested SIT would examine the financial relationship between the two involved companies and determine if valuable municipal assets are being used to advance private commercial interests.
"The Koli community is not opposed to development. However, we strongly oppose any development that comes at the cost of the traditional livelihood of indigenous fishing communities or is tainted by allegations of corruption and procedural irregularities," Tandel said.
Efforts to obtain comments from BMC officials were unsuccessful. Assistant Commissioner Alka Sasane did not respond after promising to comment, and Sanjog Kabre, Joint Commissioner in charge of the market department, did not respond to calls and messages.
The AMMKS warned that it will intensify democratic protests across Maharashtra if an independent inquiry is not ordered. Tandel announced plans for a protest march involving Koli fisherwomen, market traders, and community members. The union also plans to approach the courts to challenge the Annex II approval and seek a stay on the project.
