1 week ago
BMC Reclaims Andheri Plot for Long-Delayed Ambivali Fire Station
The BMC took back a large piece of land in Andheri West for a future fire station.
It removed buildings and other structures that officials said were unauthorised.
A construction company challenged the action in court, but the Bombay High Court dismissed the petition.
Police helped keep the demolition operation secure.
The fire station is considered important because Andheri West has many tall buildings and heavy traffic.
Fire engines currently come from other areas, which can take extra time.
Residents said the BMC should finish securing the whole plot quickly.
On the same day, officials also removed illegal stalls and sheds from footpaths in Bandra West.
The BMC reclaimed a nearly 34,000-square-foot Chitrakoot plot in Andheri West reserved for a fire station.
Unauthorised structures, including DRM Motors, DRM Apparels and Chitrakoot Banquet Hall, were demolished.
The action followed the Bombay High Court’s dismissal of a private construction company’s petition challenging the demolition.
The proposed station is intended to improve emergency response in densely developed Andheri West.
Citizens urged the BMC to clear the entire plot quickly and prevent renewed encroachment, while officials also cleared footpath encroachments in Bandra West.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, supported by the Amboli Police Station, carried out the action; local citizens and a private construction company were also involved.
- What
- Unauthorised structures were demolished on a 34,000-square-foot Chitrakoot plot reserved for the proposed Ambivali fire station.
- Where
- Chitrakoot plot in Andheri West, Mumbai; separate encroachment clearances occurred near National College Junction, 33rd Road and Linking Road in Bandra West.
- When
- September 7, 2026; the article also says Bandra West footpath clearances took place on Monday.
- Why
- The plot is reserved for a fire station, and officials said clearing footpaths was necessary to improve pedestrian safety and reduce traffic obstruction.
Key facts
- Plot size
- Nearly 34,000 square feet
- Location
- Chitrakoot, Andheri West, Mumbai
- Planned facility
- Ambivali fire station
- Land reservation
- Reserved for a Mumbai Fire Brigade station under Development Plan 2034
- Court development
- The Bombay High Court dismissed a petition challenging the BMC’s action
- Structures removed
- DRM Motors, DRM Apparels, Chitrakoot Banquet Hall and other unauthorised structures
- Additional civic action
- Illegal stalls, temporary sheds and other unauthorised structures were removed from Bandra West footpaths
Quotes
Senior fire official
A senior official of the Mumbai Fire Brigade discussing the need for the station
“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.”
freepressjournal.in
Dhaval Shah
Representative of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association
“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.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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