Opposing the proposed seafood plaza on Carter Road promenade, Bandra residents have written to BMC and Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, urging that the permanent structures be relocated a few metres away to a site already reserved for the local fishing community. “The Seafood Plaza can be shifted to the land reserved for fisherfolk, where they can showcase their catch and culinary skills without compromising Mumbai’s green open spaces,” stated the letter by activist Zoru Bhathena. Pointing out that Carter Road promenade is a designated green open space on the city’s Development Plan, he said no permanent structure can be erected without prior CRZ permission. “The green promenade is also a protected NDZ ‘Green Lung’ under the CRZ regulations, where no commercial activity is permitted,” Bathena added.
Last weekend, Koli women from Khar Danda confronted morning walkers on the promenade and questioned their opposition to the project. Bharati Narendra Tiwale said they will be operating only 3 days of the week — Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. “Also, we plan to only offer parcel services; no one would be sitting and eating here so there will be no littering,” she said. — Richa Pinto