Sassoon Dock get a modern makeover

The Sassoon Dock in Mumbai, one of the oldest fishing harbours in India, would be modernised on the lines those in Norway.

"We all know about Norway's fishing infrastructure. The Sasson Dock will be modernised in that pattern," Mahadev Jankar, Maharashtra's fisheries development minister, told DH on Wednesday.

According to him, the entire project would cost around Rs 100 crore and would be completed in two years.

"There would be upgradation of infrastructure on all aspects, whether it is landing points or cold storages. There would be a high degree of automation," Jankar said.

He also said that there would be some element for tourism as well.

"People can come and see for themselves how the fisherfolk work and the chain of work," he said on board a vessel of Maharashtra's fisheries department, during an inspection off the Mumbai coast.

Jankar said that there would be food corner and an amphitheatre.

The draft plan also includes a museum.

The dock's history

The Sassoon Dock was built in 1875 and overlooks the Oyster Rock.

It was the first commercial wet dock in western coast of India.

It was built on a banking and mercantile company, David Sassoon & Co.

The initial owner was Albert Abdullah David Sassoon, the son of Jewish businessman and leader David Sassoon.

Jankar said that various agencies like the Mumbai Port Trust are in sync with the project plan.

"We are going to have the bhoomi poojan in the next few days," he added.

The modernization plan was cleared by the Centre in 2014 and the plan was made by the Bengalaru-based Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fisheries.