The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cleared and reclaimed nearly 34,000 sq ft of land at the Chitrakoot plot in Andheri West, paving the way for the long-pending Ambivali fire station proposed under the city’s Development Plan 2034.
The civic body removed several unauthorised structures occupying the reserved plot, including DRM Motors, DRM Apparels and Chitrakoot Banquet Hall. The demolition followed legal proceedings after a private construction company challenged the BMC’s action before the Bombay High Court. The court dismissed the petition, allowing the civic administration to proceed with the clearance.
The demolition drive was carried out by the BMC’s Building and Factory department using heavy machinery, with personnel from Amboli Police Station deployed for security.
Fire Station Seen as Critical for Andheri West
The proposed fire station is considered important for Andheri West, a densely populated area witnessing rapid high-rise development and increasing traffic.
“Having a full-fledged fire station in Andheri West is the need of the hour. Currently, fire brigades have to be dispatched from Vile Parle, Goregaon and Bandra, costing valuable response time during peak traffic hours,” a senior fire official said.
However, residents have urged the civic body to move quickly to prevent the cleared plot from being occupied again.
Dhaval Shah of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA) said, “Only part of the encroachment has been demolished. The proposed fire station should come up immediately so that the plot is not encroached upon again. The BMC should also cancel permissions for the nearly half-dozen digital hoardings on the plot and revoke permissions allowing the banquet hall to operate.”
BMC Also Clears Bandra West Footpaths
Meanwhile, the civic administration continued its citywide ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign, removing illegal encroachments from footpaths near National College Junction, 33rd Road and Linking Road in Bandra West.
Illegal stalls, temporary sheds and other unauthorised structures were cleared from the pedestrian pathways. According to an H-West ward official, the encroachments had significantly narrowed the available walking space, forcing pedestrians onto the road and contributing to safety risks and traffic disruption.
The BMC’s latest actions highlight its parallel focus on reclaiming public land for essential civic infrastructure and restoring pedestrian access on busy city roads.
For Andheri West, the clearance of the Chitrakoot plot removes a major hurdle for a fire station that residents and officials have sought for years. The next challenge will be ensuring that the site is secured and the proposed facility moves from a long-pending plan to actual construction.
