Nine-member panel to settle boundaries of seven Mumbai koliwadas, report due in three months

The state government has constituted a high-level committee to resolve the demarcation of seven koliwadas in Mumbai city. The decision was taken on the initiative of Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, on the instructions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The committee will be headed by the Konkan divisional commissioner.

The committee will examine the objections raised to the survey maps prepared for the demarcation and submit its recommendation report to the government within three months.

The seven koliwadas to be demarcated are Sewri, Sion, Colaba, Mahim (including Mahim Market), Mandvi-Princess Dock, Worli and Cuff Parade. A site inspection and survey had earlier been carried out for these koliwadas, and maps were prepared on that basis. However, various authorities filed objections to the boundaries shown on these maps. The government therefore decided to form a committee to finalise the demarcation.

The committee has nine members in all. The Konkan divisional commissioner is the chairperson. The other members are the Settlement Commissioner and Director of Land Records, Maharashtra State, Pune; the Additional Commissioner (City) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation; the Collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts; the City Engineer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's city engineer's department; the Director of the Environment and Climate Change Department; and an Assistant Commissioner of the Fisheries Department. The Deputy Director of Land Records, Konkan region, is the member secretary.

The committee will go through the survey maps of the seven koliwadas prepared by the office of the Mumbai City Collector. Those who have filed objections to the maps, and representatives of Koli organisations, will be heard. Recommendations on finalising the demarcation will then be made to the government.

Commenting on the decision, Bawankule said the Koli community are the original inhabitants of Mumbai and protecting their rights is the government's first duty. He said the order was issued with immediate effect after Chief Minister Fadnavis gave his instructions. According to Bawankule, the issue, pending for 12 years, will now be resolved. The nine-member committee has been directed to study the matter with complete transparency and submit a self-explanatory report within three months.

Bawankule also said that the rights of no Koli community member would be allowed to suffer. The government is fully committed to protecting their land and completing development work quickly.