June 3, 2025: The Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) has written a firm letter to the Mumbai Suburban District Collector, reiterating the urgent need to hand over the Chitrakoot Ground in Andheri West. The 5,500 sq mt plot, earmarked for the Ambivali fire station under the 2034 Development Plan, is currently under the occupation of M/s Shah Constructions, who continue to use the site for private events.
In the letter dated 25 June, the CFO stressed the critical importance of establishing a full-fledged fire station on the site to improve emergency response and protect lives and property. “Currently, emergency calls in this area are serviced from the Andheri Fire Station, resulting in delayed response times due to traffic congestion. A local station is essential to reduce damage and fatalities,” the letter noted.
The CFO also pointed out the challenges posed by rapid development in Andheri, where increasing numbers of residential and commercial buildings heighten the risk of multiple simultaneous emergencies. Despite the area’s growing demands, the fire brigade has waited over a decade for the site to be vacated and developed.
Although M/s Shah Constructions held development rights until January 2025, no construction has commenced. The Mumbai Suburban Collector was expected to decide on revoking these rights, yet no action has been taken. A senior MFB official confirmed repeated notices have gone unanswered, and commercial activities continue on the plot.
MLAs from both BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT), including Ameet Satam and Haroon Khan, have raised the matter in the state assembly. Khan stated the land’s ownership is under review, with the developer claiming ancestral rights. Regardless, he insisted that the fire station must be built without further delay, and pledged to push for resolution in the ongoing assembly session.
Source: The Free Press Journal
