India, July 27 -- A growing dispute has emerged between the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and traders on Gharapuri (Elephanta Island) after the Board on July 13 offered 130 stall owners a one-time opportunity to regularise their stalls by clearing outstanding dues and entering into five-year lease agreements. While the MMB has warned that if traders do not comply within 15 days, they will be evicted, traders have rejected the rent demands as "arbitrary, excessive and unreasonable".

Issued under the Maharashtra Maritime Board (Regulations for Leasing Stalls and Leasing Land for Erection of Stalls), 2026, Clause 9 of the notice says that existing stall users must clear all outstanding dues within 15 days and also convey their willingnes...