The BMC has plans to redevelop the Marol municipal fish market into an international-standard facility, inspired by the Waterfront Market in Dubai and Sydney, alongside Koli Bhavan. The market will feature a basement parking facility, a wholesale and retail fish market on the ground floor, and a Koli Bhavan and Exhibition Centre and a cafeteria. Designed to support local fishermen, butchers, vegetable vendors, and dry goods traders, the market will also be equipped with CCTV cameras for security.
Mumbai’s largest and oldest dry fish market, located at Marol in Andheri, has been a central hub for dry fish vendors for several decades. Fisher women from across the state have brought their catch to this historic market to sell. Spanning 1.13 lakh square feet, the market hosts weekly sales. However, the market is currently in a state of disrepair, with leaking roofs, poor lighting and deteriorating infrastructure. To address these issues, the BMC has proposed a redevelopment plan that includes cold storage, waste recycling, parking facilities, an auditorium, a cafeteria, and separate sections for wholesale and retail customers.
Last year, the civic officials of the market department along with officials from the fisheries department and members of the Marol Bazar Fish Seller Koli Mahila Sansthan visited the market. On Tuesday, State Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane conducted a review of the project, which was attended by several key officials. Among those present were Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Secretary of the Fisheries Department Ramaswamy N, Fisheries Commissioner Kishore Tawde, and General Manager of the Fisheries Corporation Ankita Meshram.
“The demand is to develop ground plus two storey building. But we intend to fully capitalise on its potential by incorporating a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 5. This will enable the structure to serve a variety of purposes, meeting diverse functional requirements. Currently, the proposal is in the planning stage,” said a senior civic official. Meanwhile, sources reveal that the estimated market value of the project stands at approximately Rs. 100 crore. Notably, a portion of the funding for this initiative will be provided through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, a government scheme aimed at boosting the fisheries sector and promoting sustainable growth.
