Vehicles illegally parked in three rows outside society prevent tanker from entering; corporator vows to address issue
Residents of Highland Tower in Lokhandwala Township, Kandivli East, pose at the entrance of their society on Thursday. Pics/Satej Shinde
A major tragedy was averted after a fire broke out at the Highland Tower in Kandivli East’s Lokhandwala Township on Wednesday night. Fire engines were delayed by nearly 10 minutes due to autorickshaws being illegally parked in triple rows outside the society, obstructing access. Residents urged local authorities, including the BMC, the local corporator, and Samta Nagar police, to address the issue.
The fire broke out in the kitchen of a flat located on the first floor of Highland Tower, where Yash Bansal resides with his parents, wife Karishma, and their 15-day-old baby girl. Fortunately, the entire family had gone out.
Bansal told mid-day, “Residents informed the fire brigade, but their arrival was delayed due to autorickshaws parked outside.”
BJP corporator Neelam Gurav said, “We have started coordinating with the authorities and have informed them to take action and impose fines on violators. I aim to clear the roads of illegal parking and hawkers and help citizens.” Senior PI Jagdish Bhopale said, “Over a year ago, someone from the society complained about the same issue, and we resolved it. The problem, however, has resurfaced. We ensure it is fixed.”
Residents’ voices
Dipti Thakur Desai
‘We have complained to the corporator, MLA, police, and traffic police multiple times about the auto issue, but no one has acted. Emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines often get stuck because of these autos’
Pinky Manish Pachouly
‘At night, some auto drivers consume alcohol inside parked vehicles. It becomes unsafe and difficult for residents to pass through this lane. The police should take strict action and not allow autos to park in this area’
Gurunandan Masurkar
‘Auto drivers are creating a nuisance in the area. We demand a permanent solution. There is a parking mafia operating here, and they even threaten residents’
Neha Patel, society secretary
‘Luckily, no one was injured in this incident. Only a small fire brigade vehicle could easily enter the society, but the fire tanker was stuck at the gate for nearly 10 minutes. Fire brigade staff were only able to enter after some autos were moved. After the lockdown, autos started parking here in large numbers, especially after 9 pm, creating a daily nuisance. We urgently need a solution’
Parul Shahane
‘A few years ago, a fire broke out in a neighbouring society, and the fire brigade faced delays in entering due to parked autos. This area is not meant for autorickshaw parking’
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