The death of a liftman in the recent fire at Runwal Tower has reignited concerns over inadequate firefighting infrastructure in Mumbai’s Versova-Lokhandwala-Oshiwara neighbourhood. Residents have alleged that fire brigade personnel took between 30 and 45 minutes to reach the high-rise, bringing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) proposal to remove a designated fire station plot in Versova under renewed scrutiny.
Occupants of the 33-storey Runwal Tower said emergency crews faced difficulties locating the building, navigating traffic and accessing the affected flat on the 17th floor of C wing. “Eventually, the firemen had to climb the stairs with their equipment,” said Gaurav Maini, a resident of C tower. “There was a lot of smoke in the staircase, which also delayed the operations.”
Maini alleged that his wife, who contacted the fire control room, shared the building’s location and nearby landmarks. However, the operator repeatedly sought details about the police station jurisdiction before disconnecting the call. His wife later raised the issue on social media, stating, “Emergency response is extremely poor.”
The controversy has also brought attention to a BMC proposal concerning Plot 1103-A (Part) in K West ward. Under the Development Plan 2034, the civic body is considering removing the 1,143.16 sq m fire station reservation and the 2,296 sq m police chowky reservation from a MHADA layout, allowing residential development instead.
Introduced before the BMC Improvement Committee in August 2026 under Section 37(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, the proposal was referred back to the administration in September following objections from corporators.
Versova, Lokhandwala, Oshiwara and Seven Bungalows currently depend on fire stations in Goregaon and Irla, with congestion potentially extending response times. A separate fire station proposed at Chitrakoot Grounds also remains unoperational.
Residents recalled a June 11 fire near Versova Metro station, when fire engines reportedly took around 45 minutes to arrive. The blaze destroyed a seventh-floor apartment, with estimated losses of ₹3 crore.
Dhaval Shah of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association said, “For Lokhandwala and Oshiwara, our nearest fire brigade is at Irla, almost at the border of Andheri,” he said. “During peak hours, precious time is lost because it takes so long for the first fire engine to reach our area.”
He added that redevelopment and the proposed Versova-Dahisar Link Road could increase population and traffic, strengthening the case for a local fire station. The 2011 Census recorded Versova’s population at over 3,76,000.
Source: Hindustan Times
Pic Credit: Mid-day
