Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane said Sassoon Dock is one of the country’s major fishing harbours and plays a key role in Maharashtra’s fisheries economy. It is to be transformed into a modern, eco-friendly fishing harbour.

The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) cleared disputed godowns at Sassoon Dock on Thursday, advancing plans to re-tender warehouse facilities for fish traders. The action followed a long-running dispute involving MbPA, the Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation (MFDC) and traders over lease rents linked to ready-reckoner rates.

MbPA, which licenses and oversees about 1,100 fishing boats, says tenants repeatedly breached lease conditions by delaying rent payments, making unauthorised constructions and subletting premises. Officials said appellate tribunals, including the Supreme Court of India, upheld the eviction orders. Local fishing communities and traders protested the drive.

Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) took possession of and sealed 18 godowns at Sassoon Dock on Thursday, 13 November 2025, after a scuffle with fishermen. The godowns employed 50 labourers each and housed 70–80 offices. Fishermen estimate thousands could lose livelihoods, including nearly 3,000 women who peel prawns; the seafood supply chain supports nearly 2 lakh people. The dock handles 150 tonnes of fresh catch daily and has a turnover of ₹4 crore.

MbPA owns about 60 warehouses, leases them to the state-owned Maharashtra State Fisheries Development Corporation, which sublets them to fishing businesses. The dispute concerns Rent Roll No. 1773, covering about 2,720 sq m. MbPA cites unauthorised construction, subletting and unpaid rent; eviction proceedings began in 1999, and the Supreme Court upheld the final order in 2014, granting six months to vacate. MbPA says about 36 unauthorised occupants—not 25,000 people—are affected, other fishing activities will continue, and the shed will be tendered for fish-related use.

Maharashtra’s Fisheries Department is partnering with Finland to modernise Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock using technology-driven solutions to address operational challenges.

State fisheries and ports development minister Nitesh Rane said the government is working with the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA), Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation (MFDC) and central government to resolve the rental dispute and prevent fishermen from being evicted. MbPA owns 60 warehouses at Sassoon Dock in Colaba and threatened to close them unless rents matched Ready Reckoner rates; it gave operators two weeks to comply. The warehouses process daily catches from trawlers and other small ports around Mumbai. The dispute dates back more than 30 years. In 2014, MbPA sought to evict operators but backed down after a 2015 tripartite agreement involving MbPA, MFDC and godown pre-processors, which exempted them from Ready Reckoner rates because seafood processing is seasonal. Rane said the government would seek to waive dues and penalties. It also plans to provide basic facilities, seek a crèche at the dock and arrange processing of seafood waste.