India, Oct. 20 -- Traditional fishing communities on Monday demanded an immediate halt to construction of the proposed 400-million-litres-per-day (MLD) desalination plant at Manori and cancellation of the Rs.3,000-crore project, alleging that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and district administration had failed to address concerns over livelihoods, environmental damage and land approvals.

A delegation led by Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap met Mumbai suburban district collector Saurabh Katiyar, submitting a representation seeking a review of land approvals, a formal hearing on their objections and a stay on construction until the issues are resolved.

The delegation expressed dissatisfaction with Katiyar's reported response that h...