Mumbai: Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock is set for a revamp as a modern fishing dock after a redevelopment project drawn up by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) was approved by Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
As part of the redevelopment plan, fishing activities will be restricted to New Sassoon Dock area, while Old Sassoon Dock will be used for outfitting of fishing boats and for providing related services including fuel, freshwater and ice for fishing boats.
There is also a plan to provide an ice plant and ice crusher shed. The existing open fish auction hall at New Sassoon Dock will be converted into a modern fish handling and auction hall.
Also envisaged is construction of a dormitory, rest rooms, restaurant and a radio communication tower. There is also a proposal to set up a Marine Food Park, sea food restaurant and an art gallery on the premises at a later stage.
MbPT has appointed Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery, Bengaluru, as the project management consultant for preparing the detailed technical report. The redevelopment project is estimated to coast Rs255 million (Dh15.3 million).
Gadkari, who announced the project during a visit to Mumbai, also stressed the need to increase exports of marine products and said the MbPT is backing this objective by creating necessary physical infrastructure.
Earlier, the Mumbai Fishermen’s Association submitted a memorandum to the Minister demanding subsidies on diesel used in fishing vessels. They also asked for subsidies on fishing equipment, along the lines of subsidies extended to agricultural implements.
Sassoon Dock is among Mumbai’s oldest docks, built in 1875 on reclaimed land in Colaba, in the city’s south.
For years it has been a thriving, open fish market frequented by wholesale buyers from early in the morning when fishing boats arrive with their catch.
It is the main fish loading and trading centre in the city.
