Last year, the Bombay High Court, in an interim hearing, had stated that renovation of the Sassoon Docks in Colaba was necessary in order to address age-old issues connected to the thriving fishery hub inside. The renovation plans, sanctioned way back in 2016, included an ice factory for proper treatment of waste, an auctioning hall for fishermen to avoid auctions in the open and a shed for the fisherfolk to rest.

Earlier this week, mid-day visited the Docks and saw that all the above structures had been partially built—and covered in fish scales, prawn shells and other waste. The HC had made its observation while hearing a PIL filed by residents of buildings around the docks. The PIL’s demands are basic and simple—that the fish waste be processed on the dock, retail sale of fish be conducted elsewhere and de-shelling of prawns be stopped on the pavement outside the Dock.