Introduction by students at School of Habitat Studies, TISS

The Sassoon Docks are situated near Colaba. It is a very crowded place in the morning. The place is one of the main fishing areas in Mumbai. Lots of activities occur in the morning but the place is relatively empty in the afternoon. The place was originally the habitat for the fishing community and the livelihood of the people, especially the Kolis is dependent on the fishing activities and the export of fish. Kolis are the original residents of the land. The Koliwada in Sassoon dock is one of the six Koliwadas of Mumbai.

The place is already in use for various activities. The land belongs to Mumbai Port Trust. There are big  warehouses at the Sassoon docks. Fish are stored there for a short time. The place is now used by different communities. People who have migrated from other states work in the Sassoon docks.

The work of the Kolis is carried out on small ships, as they have to travel for long distances to get fish; one of the respondent said that they even have to travel up to the borders of Pakistan or Sri Lanka. They travel on these ships for months to cater to the business.

As the surrounding spaces of the docks have large godowns (warehouses), there is substantial trade going on.  The main players are the Nakhwas (owners of the ships) and the fishermen (labourers).

It is very difficult to justify the removal of the godowns from the port trust area (as some officials are planning) – even if in the name of the housing needs of deprived sections of the community – since such a move will directly affect their livelihood.

Location

Site Analysis by Apoorva Jalindre, Madhushree Jaltare, Dhnashree Rane, Hemangi Patil (JJ School)

Aqua.Corp by Mitu, Candice, Cyntia, Alonso, Han (Columbia)

See slide set

Paniwallah: Strategy for Urban Regeneration by Elle, Maria, Seyoon, Karin (Columbia)

See slide set