Mumbai, Nov. 6 -- More than 1,600 fisherfolk whose income has been disrupted due to ongoing work on the Versova-Bandra Sea Link have refused to accept compensation at rates fixed by the state government in March 2023, two officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) which is implementing the project told HT. The fishers are seeking compensation on an annual basis for the duration of the project, on par with rates offered to fisherfolk affected by the Nariman Point-Worli Coastal Road, the officials said. Work on the 25-km eight-lane sea link commenced in 2019 and is slated to be completed by May 2028, as per the latest deadline. A total of 1,637 fisherfolk living in six fishing hamlets are affected by the project, according to a socio-economic survey conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. As per a government resolution dated March 9, 2023 pertaining to payouts for projects in the sea, affected fisherfolk would receive a one-time compensation ranging Rs.25,000 to Rs.6 lakh. In comparison, during construction of the Coastal Road from 2018 till 2024, the BMC had paid Rs.2.29 lakh to Rs.4.56 lakh to owners of affected boats every year. Hand pickers and cast net fishermen were paid approximately Rs.97,000 per annum, with additional 8% interest in case of delayed payments. Rajhans Tapke, a Koli leader from Versova, accused the government of offering negligible compensation. "We haven't opposed the project so far, but they must understand that it has caused livelihood issues because fishing grounds are disappearing, and pollution is forcing us to fish farther away," he said....