Panel to settle boundaries of Mumbai's seven Koliwadas within three months

Mumbai: The state government has set up a nine-member high-level committee to fix the boundaries of seven of Mumbai's Koliwadas, the city's original fishing villages, a question that has been pending for about 12 years. The Konkan divisional commissioner will chair it. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the decision, taken on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's instructions.

The committee covers the Koliwadas of Sewri, Sion, Colaba, Mahim (including Mahim market), Mandvi-Princess Dock, Worli and Cuffe Parade. The Mumbai City collectorate had earlier surveyed them on the ground and drawn up maps, but various authorities objected to the boundaries shown, and the demarcation was never finalised.

Members include the settlement commissioner and director of land records, the civic body's additional commissioner for the city and its city engineer, the collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban, the director of the environment and climate change department, and an assistant commissioner of fisheries. The deputy director of land records for the Konkan region is member secretary. The committee will hear the objectors and representatives of Koli organisations and may invite experts.

Bawankule said the Kolis are Mumbai's original inhabitants and that protecting their rights is the government's duty. The committee will study the matter transparently and submit its recommendations within three months without curtailing the rights of any Koli family, he said.

Sources: Loksatta; NavShakti