The Maharashtra government has formed a nine-member committee to examine boundary disputes affecting seven Mumbai Koliwadas, a move that could clear a long-standing procedural hurdle for redevelopment and basic civic works in these traditional fishing settlements within three months.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the committee on Saturday. The panel will be chaired by the Konkan divisional commissioner and will review objections to measurement maps prepared for the Koliwadas by the Mumbai City Collector’s office. It will then recommend the final boundaries to the state government.
The seven settlements covered by the process are located in Sewri, Sion, Colaba, Mahim, including Mahim Market, Mandvi-Princess Dock, Worli and Cuffe Parade. According to the report, the absence of formally settled boundaries has restricted development activity in these areas. Roads cannot legally be built in some locations, while local residents have also been unable to undertake redevelopment of their properties.
The committee includes the Settlement Commissioner and Director of Land Records, Maharashtra; the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s additional commissioner for the city; the district collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban; the BMC city engineer; the director from the Environment and Climate Change Department; and the assistant commissioner from the Fisheries Department. The Konkan regional deputy director of land records will serve as member secretary.
The panel will hear the views of people who have filed objections as well as representatives of Koli organisations before making its recommendations. It will also examine the action required under directions issued at a meeting chaired by the additional chief secretary of the Revenue Department on September 9, 2024. Officials and experts may be invited to meetings when required.
The committee has been instructed to submit a detailed report with clear recommendations to the government within three months. The process is therefore focused first on determining the settlement boundaries and addressing objections, rather than immediately approving individual redevelopment proposals.
Bawankule said the Koli community is indigenous to Mumbai and that protecting its rights is a primary responsibility of the government. He said the action followed instructions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and was intended to resolve an issue that has remained pending for 12 years. The minister also said the government would protect Koli community land, ensure that members’ rights were not affected and accelerate development works.
The committee’s findings will determine whether the state accepts the proposed demarcation of the seven Koliwadas and what administrative steps follow. Until that process is completed, the immediate milestone is the submission of its report within the three-month deadline.
