Six months after eviction, meat, fish vendors in Chembur claim inadequate facilities

These vendors, who were evicted from Bhauram Harishchandra Chemburkar Mandai by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said that their temporary arrangement lacks adequate storage facilities and as a result their products — fish, meat and poultry etc. — will go bad faster and they will lose their customers

Mumbai: With winter nearing its end and summer looming, there are numerous Koli fisherwoman, along with at least a dozen butchers on the Sion-Trombay Road in Chembur East, who find themselves in a fix. It’s been a little over six months since these vendors have been evicted from a municipal market place, allegedly without notice by the civic body, and the change in the season is only adding to their woes as their products will go bad faster.

In July last year, the market building was demolished amid heavy rains on the grounds that it was an ‘unsafe’ structure — in the C-1 category of dilapidated buildings. Since then, the vendors have been forced out onto into an open area next to the demolition site. As a sign of protest, the vendors have erected some temporary structures at their own expense and have shunned the use of a common shed provided by the BMC as an alternative. (Satish Bate/HT PHOTO)

These vendors, who were evicted from Bhauram Harishchandra Chemburkar Mandai by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said that their temporary arrangement lacks adequate storage facilities and as a result their products — fish, meat and poultry etc. — will go bad faster and they will lose their customers. Moreover, they also do not have proper electricity supply or toilets nearby.

In July last year, the market building was demolished amid heavy rains on the grounds that it was an ‘unsafe’ structure — in the C-1 category of dilapidated buildings. Since then, the vendors have been forced out onto into an open area next to the demolition site. As a sign of protest, the vendors have erected some temporary structures at their own expense and have shunned the use of a common shed provided by the BMC as an alternative.

“It’s (common shed) just a roof, nothing more. There is also no water connection given by BMC. We are paying around ₹3,000 a month for a new connection and a tank. We have to pay to use a bathroom, which is a 10-minute walk away,” said Yashoda Koli, a fisherwoman from Trombay, who has been working there for the better part of a decade.

“Some temporary sheds have been put up in the shade, but the tarpaulin sheets still get very warm and the fish goes bad much faster. Our expenditure on ice has gone up a lot,” she added.

The market also attracts women from Bhandup, Worli, Sewri, Mahul and Dharavi. Though their union represents 92 women, their numbers vary between 20-30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and up to 40-45 on other days when demand for fish is higher.

With winter nearing its end, the vendors are worried about losing customers during the summer. “Already, after demolition, we have lost a lot of usual customers. In a couple of months, the heat will completely drive us out of business. Unlike fisherwomen, we can’t store meat on ice as it affects the quality. People want fresh cut mutton. The whole place will start stinking,” said Rashid, a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh who only gave his first name.

“The market was a closed space. You can’t leave the shop unattended even for a second now otherwise crows will start attacking the meat,” he added.

Priyanka Akkar, an urban researcher, said, “This disruption has become extremely cumbersome for many of the women, who are middle-aged or elderly. Some have been working at this market for more than 40 years.

“Because of lack of electricity, they wrap up work much earlier in the day and this is eating into their income. They all allege that absolutely no intimation was given from the BMC’s side,” said Akkar, who has been monitoring this situation for the Daryavardi Mahila Sangh (an NGO representing the interests of women fisherfolk in the state)

Prakash Rasal, additional municipal commissioner (markets), BMC, rebutted this claim. “It is not true. A tender for the demolition was issued in June last year, after which a public notice was also put out. The demolition was done by virtue of a high court order. I cannot say when the vendors will be rehabilitated in a new market.We are making a redevelopment plan and will likely float tenders for construction within the year. Until then they will have to make do with temporary facilities.”

Vendors said they were skeptical of the market’s future. “If and when construction of the new building starts, where will we go? There will be so much noise and dust. Who will buy dusty fish? By the day, more and more women are choosing not to come and sit here anymore. The business will fizzle out,” said Maina Koli, a fisherwoman from Mahul.