Port Authority Tells Fishers and Traders to Vacate Sassoon Dock

Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock, a lifeline for the city’s seafood trade, is facing an uncertain future following an eviction threat issued by the Mumbai Port Authority (MPA). A verbal notice was reportedly delivered to fish traders and operators of cold storage godowns, instructing them to vacate within 15 days. The warning has triggered widespread concern across the fishing industry and its extensive supply chain.

The dispute is rooted in a long-standing disagreement between the MPA and the state-run Maharashtra State Fisheries Development Corporation (MFDC). The godowns, which have been sublet by the MFDC to seafood processors for decades, are said to have accrued unpaid rental dues based on Ready Reckoner property valuations. The conflict is believed to have persisted for over 30 years. Despite a ministerial meeting in 2015 that had led to a proposed resolution through a tripartite agreement among the MPA, MFDC, and fisher representatives, no formal steps were taken to implement it. The present threat of eviction has thus reignited fears of mass unemployment and economic destabilisation.

Operators of the dock’s 80 to 90 godowns have voiced concerns that each unit supports up to 100 workers, many of whom rely entirely on this ecosystem. The community has stressed that the repercussions would not be limited to Mumbai alone. Seafood processed at Sassoon Dock is distributed to multiple states across India, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka are also employed in large numbers at the site. Exporters have stated that hundreds of tonnes of seafood are processed daily, with businesses paying significant taxes to the government. Several community leaders have highlighted the contribution of groups such as the Banjara Samaj, who specialise in shelling prawns and fish and play a role in the dock’s contribution to foreign exchange revenues.

It has been argued that the fishing community should not be held responsible for administrative lapses between the MPA and MFDC. Generational businesses are said to be at risk, with some godowns reported to have operated since before India’s independence. Despite repeated efforts, no official response has been received from the Mumbai Port Authority. Meanwhile, a grassroots campaign to ‘Save Sassoon Dock’ has been gathering momentum, as stakeholders call for immediate government intervention to safeguard thousands of livelihoods.