Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) denies demands from fishermen from Worli Koliwada to redesign an approaching interchange connecting the coastal road and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

According to the opinion of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), the proposed width of 60 meters for the span under the bridge connecting the Bandra-Worli sea bridge in the Mumbai Coastal Road (South) project proposed by BMC is sufficient and appropriate.

BMC plans to provide the piers with fenders so that no damage is caused to the boats sailing below. CCTV cameras will also be installed under the interchange so that in the event of an accident, the BMC control room is immediately notified and emergency assistance is provided. In the event of such accidents, BMC will continue to provide insurance cover to the fishermen for the next 20 years.

Fishermen have argued that the proposed 60-meter distance between the piers of the interchange is not enough to allow their boats safe passage, and will force them to stop trading out of Cleveland Bunder, a century-old fishing port. Instead, they have demanded that the distance be increased to at least 160 meters, based on a report filed with the BMC in February.