Koliwadas and Gaothans
Demarcated Maps
Madh Koliwada
DP 1991
Madh Koliwada
DP 2034
Deonar Koliwada
DP 1991
Deonar Koliwada
DP 1991
Core Concerns
If the new plan were to be implemented there are various concerns that would arise amongst the koli community.
No Land Rights The inadequate demarcation and exculsion from Regional Plan would mean the kolis would be under constant threat of eviction and demolition
Losing Identity and Labelled as slum Mumbai’s earliest inhabitants succumbed to governmental land grab will deem their pre-existing houses as illegal and would reduce the integral historical roots of Mumbai to being identified as another Slum area
Dense and Poor living The community will be forced to contain within the small boundaries which would lead to congested and confined living arrangements. The capture of koliwada land would also hinder the development of their space, accommodation of schools and healthcare facilities will pose as an unsolvable issue
Poor or No Sanitation Without land to claim the sanitation would not be looked after for the koliwadas by the government. The already poor hygiene and sanitation will only worsen. Making them susceptible to diseases and overall degraded well-being
Aim
To demand new DP 2034 maps be released, containing appropriate demarcation to safe guard the livelihood of fisher communities and protect coastal ecosystems.
Objectives
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To educate the fisher community about CRZ and improper demarcation.
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To protect the existence and identity of the city’s earliest inhabitants.
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To secure the homes and livelihood of indigenous fisher communities.
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To preserve coastal ecosystems and biodiversity.
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To shield the coastal region from possible extreme climate events.
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To urge and initiate developmental plans for indigenous communities (i.e. sanitation systems, schools, healthcare facilities)
Rights Violated
Land
Environmental
Development
Demarcation of extended koliwadas, gaothans and adivasipadas
Inclusion of their settlements, livelihood and allied activities in the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP)
Formulation of appropriate Development Control Regulations (DCRs) for upgradation of their settlements
Livelihood
Quality of life
Community and women empowerment through conservation of their livelihood;
Infrastructure upgradation for water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, energy etc.
Urban Design Interventions
In-situ concrete panels to create uniform level surface for improving walkability
Dropped kerb ramp to enable universal accessibility for all types of users
Median refuge island for safe crossing and enable universal accessibility
Flushed tree surround, at-grade to provide clear walking space
Effective and minimalistic bus shelter to provide proper space for waiting and sitting
Standardised street furniture including precast concrete benches, planters and litterbins
Process
Executed work at H-East Ward, Mumbai
Onsite discussions with MCGM
Discussions with various departments and higher officials of MCGM
In-situ concrete panels at the pilot street
Basalt stone paving at the pilot street
The Proposal
The proposal was conceptualised after meetings with the elected representatives/ward officers/engineers from MCGM to explain issues, objectives and design. After gaining the confidence of certain departments, discussions were done with higher officials at MCGM such as AMC/MC to promote the requirement for best practices in urban design in Mumbai.
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Upon serious deliberation by the senior officials, the direction was to take up a pilot street project to understand the process and evaluate the design and details. The selected sample stretch in Fort allowed a trial of two types of paving - basalt stone paving and M40 concrete in-situ panels and offered the least physical issues. The width of footpaths in Fort precinct range up to 12 meters, which allowed easy implementation of all design elements.
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Before the execution process started at the pilot street, public meetings were held to acquire the confidence of local resident associations. Further, MHCC permissions were acquired as the pilot street was a part of the Fort Heritage Precinct. Preparation of site-specific drawings, plans and design details was done after the analysis of the existing situation of the footpath through a comprehensive total station survey. The pilot street execution process helped in building capacity for standardised footpath engineering within the contractor's team and MCGM.
Urban design interventions - programs for walkability improvements
Demonstration Streets
After implementation at the pilot street, locations for four demonstration streets were chosen through discussions with the AMC-P and Senior Engineers of Roads Department. The four streets identified in the city and suburbs are:
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1. City: Footpaths along Lady Jehangir Road from St. Joseph Circle, Wadala Station to Ruia College, F-North Ward
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2. Eastern: Footpaths along Dayanand Saraswati Road, Chembur Station to Diamond Garden, M-West Ward
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3. Western: a. Footpaths along Ali Yavar Jung Marg and SD Mandir Road, H-East Ward; b. Footpaths along MG Road Goregaon, P-South Ward
On-site execution
On-site execution is in progress at all four demonstration streets. UCM is documenting and evaluating the learnings at every stage of execution to create a comprehensive record which could help in scaling-up the project across the city in the future.
F-North Ward
M-West Ward
H-East Ward
P-South Ward
