December 5, 2025: The recent fire incident near Mahim station, which affected Harbour Line railway services, has reinforced the urgent need for stronger safety measures in the ongoing Dharavi redevelopment project. In response, authorities are now placing greater focus on widening internal roads, improving emergency response access, developing green buffers, and upgrading public spaces to prevent similar events in the future. These efforts aim to make the redeveloped Dharavi significantly safer and more resilient.
While the government continues to promote its broader goal of creating a “slum-free Mumbai,” the fire has highlighted that redevelopment is equally a matter of public safety. The blaze, which erupted on Saturday night in the slum cluster adjacent to the railway tracks, destroyed several homes and commercial establishments. The location of irregular structures just a few metres from one of Mumbai’s busiest railway corridors has long posed a major risk. Even a small fire can severely impact rail operations and endanger thousands of commuters.
According to resident Shyam Raj Mishra, the fire began after a cylinder blast on the first floor of a commercial unit in Navrang Compound. “This area is extremely congested. The combustible materials inside the shops caught fire instantly, and the flames spread rapidly. Due to heavy smoke, the railway administration temporarily shut down the overhead power supply, halting local train services,” he said. Mishra added that several passengers were forced to walk along the tracks, though no casualties were reported. “Fortunately, the burnt debris did not fall onto the railway tracks; otherwise, the situation could have become even more serious,” he noted.
Residents believe the redevelopment must address long-standing safety issues. “These issues must be resolved through the Dharavi redevelopment,” said resident Raju Dalvi, emphasising how narrow lanes hinder rescue operations. An official confirmed that “all required norms for fire engine access and DCPR provisions have been strictly followed.”
The plan also includes a 20-metre-wide parallel road along the Western Harbour railway track, designed as a safety buffer and emergency movement corridor. Additionally, a green buffer zone is proposed along the Central Railway line in Sector-2, providing further protection for the redeveloped township.
Source: Pune Mirror
