2 weeks ago
BMC Rezones Versova Fire Station Plot for Housing, Residents Worry
In a big city called Mumbai, there is a special piece of land in an area called Versova.
That land was kept aside to build a fire station, where firefighters and their trucks would live.
The city's government, called BMC, decided to change this land so that houses could be built on it instead.
Many people who live in Versova are worried about this.
They say the nearest fire stations are very far away.
They worry that if there is a fire, fire trucks will take a long time to arrive.
Versova has more than five lakh people, which is a very large number.
Lots of new homes and roads, like the Versova-Dahisar Link Road, are being planned for the area.
Community leaders say many more people will live there in the future.
They believe the city should keep the fire station land to keep everyone safe.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) moved to scrap the fire-station reservation on a 1,143-sq-m plot in Versova and rezone it for housing.
The BMC's Improvement Committee recently approved a proposal replacing the reserved fire-station site and a municipal post site with residential zoning.
Residents fear the decision could delay emergency response and cost precious minutes and lives in a fire emergency.
Versova's five lakh-plus population is currently served by fire stations in Irla and Goregaon, with traffic potentially adding delays.
Dhaval Shah of the Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens' Association warned that rapid redevelopment and projects such as the Versova-Dahisar Link Road will pressure existing fire services.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Versova residents, and Dhaval Shah of the Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens' Association.
- What
- The BMC rezoned a reserved fire-station plot in Versova for housing, alarming residents who fear slower emergency response.
- Where
- Versova, in Andheri, Mumbai.
- When
- Recently, after the BMC's Improvement Committee approved the proposal.
- Why
- To replace the reserved fire-station site with residential zoning, prompted by redevelopment and population growth in the area.
Key facts
- Plot Area
- 1,143 square metres
- Location
- Versova, Mumbai
- Zoning Change
- Fire-station reservation replaced with residential zoning
- Approving Body
- BMC Improvement Committee
- Versova Population
- Over five lakh
- Nearest Fire Stations
- Irla and Goregaon
- Planned Project
- Versova-Dahisar Link Road (VDLR)
Quotes
Dhaval Shah
Representative of Andheri Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association
“"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."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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