30 September,2026 08:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Sarthak Mehta
Andheri receives responses from two fire stations, one at Irla and one at Goregaon. Representation pic
Andheri West MLA Ameet Satam has written to Mayor Ritu Tawde and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Ashwini Bhide, opposing the proposed deletion of reservation for a fire station plot in Versova, and stating that such a facility is necessary for the area.
Satam, Bharatiya Janata Party's Mumbai president and the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Andheri West, told mid-day, "Citizens of the area have reached out to me regarding their concerns. I have opposed this disastrous decision".
He cited the need for the fire station "given the rapid development in the area" while also calling for an inquiry into "those fire department officials who opined and proposed the deletion."
"The BMC had consistently failed to develop a fire station at Chitrakoot Grounds despite efforts over several years. In such a situation, deleting the fire station reservation in Versova would be a disastrous decision," he stated.
A civic official told mid-day, "The process has been initiated after Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) requested us to reconsider the need of the plot. Fire officials did their assessments and conveyed that they didn't have any objections, as the area has another reserved plot for a fire station."
[popcorn number="5586.40 sq m" desc="Total area of two reserved plots" class="Default"]
According to officials, the proposal seeks a change of reservation for two land parcels owned by MHADA in Versova MHADA layout. They are currently reserved for a fire station and municipal chowkies. Out of the 5586.40 sq m across two land parcels, if the proposal is processed, the BMC will retain 2550 sq m for a municipal chowkie, while releasing a combined 3036.40 sq m across two land parcels to MHADA as a residential zone. The proposal has not been approved yet; it was ânot taken' in the BMC's last improvement committee. It is expected to be tabled in the BMC's next improvement committee meeting. "It will be a long procedure with various approvals required before the plot's reservation is changed," said an official.
Dhaval Shah, co-founder, Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizen's Association,
âJust three months ago, a fire broke out in the area, and the response was so delayed that the house was completely burnt by the time firefighters arrived. Andheri receives responses from two fire stations, one at Irla and one at Goregaon; the mini one at Versova often encounters delays. Development of a full-fledged fire station is vital for the area where rapid redevelopment is ongoing, and population density is only going to increase. We welcome the support the MLA has shown for the cause.'
