{
  "id": 6344366,
  "title": "Sassoon Dock Fishermen Seek Minister Nitish Rane’s Intervention To Save Century-Old Fishing Hub From Crisis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/sassoon-dock-fishermen-seek-minister-nitish-ranes-intervention-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T22:23:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/sassoon-dock-fishermen-seek-minister-nitish-ranes-intervention-to-save-century-old-fishing-hub-from-crisis"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Colaba-based Sassoon Dock Fishing Port Rescue Action Committee has appealed to Cabinet Minister Nitish Rane for urgent intervention to safeguard the fishing community and the port's future. A meeting with key politicians, including NCP Party President Sharad Pawar and Minister Rane, took place at Sharad Pawar's residence in Mahalaxmi on August 28, 2026. The committee claims that recent actions have led the fishing trade to a critical state, endangering the traditional businesses at the century-old port.\n\nOne of the major concerns raised by the committee is the eviction of fishermen, traders, and workers from godowns at the dock on November 13, 2025. This eviction, carried out under heavy police presence, has adversely affected thousands of families reliant on the premises for their livelihood. The committee also questions the dealings between the Mumbai Port Authority (MBPA), Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation (MFDC), and the godown occupants. The committee alleges that, despite regular rent payments, the amount was not deposited with MBPA by MFDC.\n\nAdditionally, the committee has sought an investigation into discrepancies between a Supreme Court order of November 16, 2014, and the ongoing rent payments and receipt issuance. A tripartite agreement from 2015, signed by MBPA, MFDC, and fish traders, has not been implemented despite a decade passing. The committee has also criticized the slow progress on a ₹100 crore development plan for Sassoon Dock and the need to construct a dedicated jetty for boat repairs, which has become a pressing issue as many boats have already shifted to Karanja port at Uran.\n\nThe fishermen also demand the restoration of concessional diesel benefits for their boats. Around 50% of the boats have already migrated to Karanja (Uran), and the closure of godowns has negatively impacted thousands of workers and the broader economic environment in Colaba and Cuffe Parade areas. The committee, representing the fishing industry as a significant part of Mumbai's maritime heritage, urges the government to act before further displacement occurs.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: The Sassoon Dock Fishing Port Rescue Action Committee of Colaba has sought the immediate intervention of Cabinet Minister Nitish Rane to protect the livelihood of fishermen, fish traders, workers and other communities dependent on the century-old fishing hub at Colaba. A visit at Sassoon Dock site by Rane is expected on Sunday said Krishna Pawale President, of the committee. Committee…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}