The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed removing a fire station reservation in Versova from the city’s Development Plan and opening the land for residential use, triggering concerns among local representatives and citizens about the area’s future emergency-response capacity.
Versova, which has a population of more than 3.76 lakh, currently depends largely on fire stations in Irla and Goregaon. Residents and civic representatives have raised concerns that traffic congestion could further delay fire engines, particularly as the locality experiences rapid redevelopment and increasing high-rise construction.
The land in question covers around 3,439 sq m within a MHADA layout. Of this, approximately 1,143.16 sq m is reserved for a fire station and 2,296 sq m for a municipal police chowky. The BMC is also considering merging 740.40 sq m from an adjoining police chowky reservation with the site.
The proposal has been placed before the BMC Improvement Committee to initiate the process of modifying the existing reservation.
Questions Over Fire Station Deletion
The proposal follows a request made by the chief officer of the MHADA Mumbai Board in July 2025 to correct reservations shown on the MHADA plot in the BMC’s Development Plan 2034.
Congress leader Ashraf Azmi has questioned whether an error concerning the police chowky’s location should also lead to the removal of the separate fire station reservation. He has sought details on why the fire station was originally included in DP 2034 and what subsequent circumstances led the civic body and fire brigade to conclude it was no longer necessary.
Azmi has also called for an independent assessment of fire risks and emergency response requirements across Versova, Seven Bungalows, Lokhandwala, Oshiwara and adjoining areas, besides seeking a public hearing.
Congress corporator Meher Mohsin Haider said the proposal should not simply be treated as a correction to the development plan.
“The Corporation’s own records show that the municipal police chowky reservation had already been shifted under the sanctioned DP 1991 and the approved 2011 layout, yet the old reservation reappeared in DP-2034. How did this happen, and who prepared, checked and certified the plan?” Haider said. “The Corporation must establish what additional development potential this creates and who stands to benefit.”
Fire Brigade Clearance Under Scrutiny
The BMC received clearance from the chief fire officer in November 2025. The officer said a separate fire station at the MHADA layout was “presently not required”, considering the existing Andheri fire station, a mini fire station and the proposed Ambivali fire station.
However, Haider has questioned whether such a present-day assessment is sufficient grounds to permanently remove the reservation.
Dhaval Shah of the Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association also opposed the proposal, pointing to rapid redevelopment and upcoming infrastructure.
“With all beach-facing properties going in for redevelopment, the population would increase fivefold,” he said. “The Versova-Madh bridge is also being constructed. With rapid redevelopment and major infrastructure projects such as the Versova-Dahisar Link Road, the Andheri-Lokhandwala-Oshiwara belt is likely to see a significant rise in population and emerge as a major transit hub. So this particular fire station reservation which is being deleted will cater to all these residents. There is no point in deleting reservations to aid a developer.”
Shah further said the proposed fire station at Chitrakoot Ground may not adequately address future requirements.
“The Irla fire station is currently the closest facility for residents around Yari Road. However, Mumbai’s traffic congestion could significantly slow down the movement of fire engines, potentially giving a fire a critical head start to spread and cause greater damage,” he said.
The BMC has sought permission to invite public suggestions and objections. Any change to the reservation will ultimately require state government approval under Section 37(2). The proposal was referred back by the Improvement Committee on Wednesday and is expected to be tabled again later this month.
Source: Hindustan Times
