top of page

Koliwadas and Gaothans

image2.jpg
image1.jpg

Demarcated Maps

image3.png

Madh Koliwada
DP 1991

image4.png

Madh Koliwada
DP 2034

deonar2.png

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

  • To educate the fisher community about CRZ and improper demarcation.

  • To protect the existence and identity of the city’s earliest inhabitants.

  • To secure the homes and livelihood of indigenous fisher communities.

  • To preserve coastal ecosystems and biodiversity.

  • To shield the coastal region from possible extreme climate events.

  • 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

Pedestrian friendly footpaths in Mumbai

In-situ concrete panels to create uniform level surface for improving walkability

Kerb drop ramps for universal accesibility, improving walkability and pedestrianisation

Dropped kerb ramp to enable universal accessibility for all types of users

Median refuge islands to ensure pedestrian safety and universal accessibility at crossings

Median refuge island for safe crossing and enable universal accessibility

Flushed tree surr

Flushed tree surround, at-grade to provide clear walking space

20210825_113146.jpg

Effective and minimalistic bus shelter to provide proper space for waiting and sitting 

Picture1_edited.jpg

Standardised street furniture including precast concrete benches, planters and litterbins

20210416_121716.jpg

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.

​

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.

​

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.

UD manual_elements proposed_edited_edited.jpg

Urban design interventions - programs for walkability improvements

Demonstration streets location.jpg

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:

​

1. City: Footpaths along Lady Jehangir Road from St. Joseph Circle, Wadala Station to Ruia College, F-North Ward  

​

2. Eastern: Footpaths along Dayanand Saraswati Road, Chembur Station to Diamond Garden, M-West Ward

​

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

Publications