Mumbai's Versova to get fishing harbour: MP Gurudas Kamat

 A fishing harbour will come up at Versova village in northwest Mumbai, as long demanded by the residents, local MP Gurudas Kamat said Friday.

"The Maharashtra government did not have enough funding for the harbour, hence I had approached the central government and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who agreed to consider the proposal to fund 75 percent of the Rs.50-crore project," Kamat told IANS.

"The state government has approved the project and will be contributing the remaining 25 percent of the cost," he added.

Versova village houses around 15,000 people who are mostly dependent on fishing in Versova creek for their livelihood. As many as 500 boats operate in the creek everyday.

"But due to heavy muck in the creek, many accidents have occurred over the years. The accidents reduced after a jetty was installed there, but smaller boats continue to suffer," Kamat said.

A dredger has been hired for the purpose of desilting the creek and work shall start in October, he said.

Kamat, however, said that it will take some time for the work on the harbour to start.

"The Maharashtra government has just approved of the harbour plan. The in-principle nod from the central government and other formalities will take some time before actual work on the harbour can begin," he said.