Mumbai: The biggest opposition to the

coastal road project

was from the

Worli fisherfolk community

. It was the leader of the same community,

Nitesh Patil

, who along with

chief minister Eknath Shinde

flagged off vehicles at the opening of the road on Monday.

Patil, from the Worli Koliwada Nakhwa Matsya Vyavsay Sahakari Society, said they were never against development but their opposition was to the authorities not agreeing to increase the navigation span.

“BMC proposed navigation span of 60 metres, which would be unsafe for us using their boats, and the possibility of accidents could increase as boats could hit rock bottom or columns. We were happy that CM Shinde agreed to increase this to 120 metres,” said Patil.

Shinde, calling them the “bhoomiputra” said that ever since their request of increasing the navigation span of the bridge was met they have been cooperating with the authorities in the construction process too.

Taking a dig at local MLA Aaditya Thackeray , Shinde said that at least the demands of those people who voted him to power should have been agreed upon.

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