Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) will soon re-develop the historic Sassoon Dock as a modern fishing dock, a multi-faceted facility which will not only be a front for fishing activities but will also serve both as a venue for refitting of boats and as an outlet for services like fuel, freshwater and ice for fishing boats.
At a function held here on Saturday, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari gave a go-ahead to the Rs 25.50 crore Sassoon Dock redevelopment plan drawn up by the MbPT.
As part of its redevelopment plan, the MbPT will allow fishing activities in the new Sassoon Dock area, while old Sassoon Dock will be used for outfitting of fishing boats and for providing required services like fuel, freshwater and ice for fishing boats. There is also a move to set up an ice plant and an ice crusher shed.
According to the MbPT officials, the existing open fish auction hall at New Sassoon Dock will be converted into a modern fish handling and auction hall.
The redevelopment project also envisages construction of a dormitory, rest rooms, restaurant and a radio communication tower. There is also a proposal to set up Marine Food Park, sea food restaurant and an art gallery at the Sassoon Dock premises at a later stage.
The MbPT has appointed Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF), Bangalore, as the Project Management Consultant for preparing the detailed technical report.
Built in 1875 on reclaimed land at Colaba in south Mumbai, Sassoon Dock is among the oldest docks in Mumbai. Developed by Albert Abdul Sassoon, son of David Sassoon who was the leader of the Jewish community in then Bombay, the Sassoon Dock is the main fish loading and trading centre in the city.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the new project, Gadkari underscored the need for increasing export of marine products and hoped that the port trust would create necessary physical infrastructure for the purpose.
Gadkari said that the Centre was committed to creating a good water transport infrastructure in the country to promote both sea shipping and inland water transport, to save cost and create job opportunities. He said that his ministry would proactively accord approvals for port-related projects.
The minister said that the pro-development policies being pursued by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government would take the GDP growth upto 8.5 per cent within next two years.
Earlier, the Mumbai Fishermen’s Association submitted a memorandum to the Minister, demanding subsidy on diesel used in fishing vessels. They also sought subsidy on fishing implements, on the lines of subsidy extended to agricultural implements.