14 January,2011 07:01 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
After Navy asks them to suspend services for a few days, boat owners to approach state Home Minister R R Patil to seek help
Ferry owners at Gateway have once again been forced into shallow water. With Colaba residents complaining about the security menace in the vicinity, boat owners at Gateway are all set to face another closure.
However, this time they have decided to fight back and approach State Home Minister RR Patil with the issue requesting him to intervene before they lose their livelihood.
During US president Barack Obama's visit to the city, ferry boats around the Gateway of India were shifted to Ferry Wharf as part of security measures
The Navy requested ferry owners to suspend their services today on the eve of Army Day and on January 19, 20 and 22 for another event.
Ferry owners complain that closing down the jetties regularly and the ever increasing security measures have resulted in losses to their business.
One owner, said, "We were forced to remain closed for three days when US President Barack Obama visited the city and on other occasions too, we have had to close shop before time."
Commenting on the loss of business, the secretary of the Boat Association of Maharashtra, Panchi, said, "This is going out of hand and now we have decided to approach RR Patil since we are tired of this.
Every month, some VVIP comes to the city and we have to bear the brunt of it all."
Echoing similar sentiments, Suhas Padte, another boat owner said, "We are asked to shut the jetty by 2 pm.
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There are so many barricades constructed since Christmas Eve, which have still not been removed. No tourist likes to visit Gateway of India, wary of the security arrangements."
Even residents have grown tired of the additional security arrangements ('Colaba residents say stop VVIP security menace', January 9) as they believe that it causes traffic snarls and much inconvenience to everyday living.
Malini Akerkar, a Colaba resident and restaurant owner said, "Once again the government has showcased that citizens and their business is not their responsibility.
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We were never against the law but they should understand that there is proper system for everything. Life cannot be strangled like this. Everything revolves around Taj Hotel."
Meanwhile, Rahul Asthana, chairman, Bombay Port Trust, said, "This is normally a precautionary measure that is taken during such celebrations.
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We have to ask that ferry services remain shut since we have been asked by the police to do so."
Ek Cutting!
Gateway of India
Gateway Of India was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate lattice work carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the British Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. Today, this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens.
