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After years of demand, a fire station will finally be established in Versova. The Maharashtra government announced in the legislative assembly that the facility would be constructed at Chitrakoot Ground in Andheri West. To make way for the project, all illegal encroachments on the land will be removed, and a tender will be issued within six months. The decision follows concerns raised by local MLA Ameet Satam, who highlighted the consequences of the area's lack of a fire station, particularly citing a tragic incident in January where a 75-year-old resident lost his life in a fire. The absence of a nearby fire station forces residents to rely on brigades from Irla and Goregaon, significantly delaying emergency response times.
Versova's long-standing request for a fire station is finally about to materialize. The Maharashtra government recently confirmed in the legislative assembly that a fire station will be built at Chitrakoot Ground in Andheri West. To facilitate the construction, all illegal encroachments on the land will be removed, and a tender for the project will be floated within the next six months. Advertisement
This decision follows concerns raised by local MLA Ameet Satam, who emphasized the dire consequences of the area's lack of a fire station. Earlier this year, a fire at Sky Pan Apartment in Andheri West resulted in the death of 75-year-old Rahul Mishra due to a delayed emergency response.
Satam pointed out that despite the vast Laxmi Industrial Estate being surrounded by Lokhandwala, Oshiwara, and Versova, there is no fire station nearby. He noted that Chitrakoot Ground, which has been earmarked for a fire station in the BMC's Development Plan (DP), has been taken over by illegal structures, including a banquet hall. He urged the government to clear the encroachments and expedite the long-overdue project. Responding to this, Industries Minister Uday Samant assured that the necessary measures would be implemented and the tender process would begin within six months.
Versova, home to over five lakh residents, currently lacks a fire station, relying instead on fire brigades from Irla in Andheri and Goregaon. Given Mumbai's heavy traffic, fire tenders often take 25 minutes or more to reach the area, significantly reducing the chances of saving lives and preventing property damage.
The demand for a fire station in Versova is not new. Over the years, multiple proposals have been put forward, but issues such as land disputes, encroachments, and bureaucratic delays have stalled progress. The absence of a fire station in such a densely populated area has resulted in multiple fire-related incidents in the past, with delayed emergency response exacerbating the damage.
The slow implementation of fire safety infrastructure is not unique to Versova. The Mumbai Fire Brigade has long been working on plans to expand its network across the city, particularly in congested areas where response times are critical. However, encroachments on public service land, including those meant for fire stations, hospitals, and parks, have been a persistent problem. Similar challenges have been observed in other parts of the city, delaying the establishment of essential public safety facilities.
The approval of a fire station in Versova marks a significant step toward improving emergency response times in the area. With over five lakh residents and a growing number of commercial establishments, the absence of a local fire station has been a critical issue. The commitment to clearing illegal encroachments and issuing a tender within six months is a positive move, potentially preventing future tragedies. However, timely execution of the project will be crucial to ensuring that residents no longer have to rely on distant fire brigades during emergencies.
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