Residents of Versova have expressed concern over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to change the reservation of a 1,143-sq-m plot earmarked for a fire station and municipal post, with the land now proposed for residential use.
The BMC Improvement Committee recently approved the rezoning proposal, prompting questions about emergency preparedness in one of Mumbai’s densely populated western suburbs. Residents fear that the removal of the proposed fire station could increase response times, particularly as traffic congestion and ongoing redevelopment continue to put pressure on local infrastructure.
Versova, which has a population of more than five lakh, currently depends on fire stations in Irla and Goregaon for emergency services. Residents argue that the distance between these stations and several parts of Versova could become a critical factor during fire-related emergencies, when even a few minutes can make a difference.
Dhaval Shah of the Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association criticised the decision to remove the fire-station reservation, citing the area’s expected population growth and upcoming infrastructure projects.
“With rapid redevelopment and projects such as the Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR), Andheri is set to become a major transit hub. The proposed fire station at Chitrakoot Ground will not be enough, as the population is expected to rise three- to four-fold in the coming years. The nearest fire station is at Irla. By the time fire engines reach Yari Road, a fire could have already caused extensive damage,” he said.
Residents have also pointed to the rapid pace of redevelopment in Versova and neighbouring areas, which is expected to increase the number of residential and commercial buildings requiring emergency services.
The proposed VDLR and other major infrastructure projects are likely to increase movement through the area, potentially adding to existing traffic pressures. Citizens therefore believe that fire infrastructure should be planned alongside population growth and redevelopment rather than reduced as land values rise.
The rezoning has consequently sparked a wider debate over balancing housing requirements with essential civic infrastructure. Residents are seeking greater clarity on how the BMC plans to meet future emergency-response requirements if the reserved fire-station plot is converted for residential development.
Source: The Free Press Journal
