Congress Opposes BMC Plan To Alter Versova Plot Reservations

A proposal by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to alter reservations on a 4,180-sq-m plot in Versova has been met with opposition from the Congress party. The plot is currently reserved for a municipal chowky and fire station under the Development Plan 2034.

The BMC proposal seeks to remove the existing reservations for the municipal chowky and fire station, and merge a portion of the land into the residential zone. Congress has warned that this move could enable residential development on amenity land, which is currently reserved for public facilities.

Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi has demanded that the BMC provide more information on the proposal, including the impact on the plot's development potential and the identity of the landowner and any private beneficiaries. Azmi has also questioned the wisdom of removing the existing fire station reservation, citing the need for fire safety and emergency response facilities in the area.

The BMC has proposed an alternative fire station at Seven Bungalows-Ambivali, but Congress has asked why the existing reservation should be deleted before the proposed replacement is operational. The party has sought full details of the proposed alternative fire station, including its ownership and possession status, approvals, construction progress, funding, and expected commissioning date.

The Congress party has also sought a fire-risk and emergency response-time assessment before the existing Versova reservation is removed. The party has demanded a special hearing with residents, housing societies, and the fire brigade to discuss the proposal.

The proposal was initiated by MHADA in July 2025, and has been moving forward since then. The BMC chose the Section 37(1) route under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act in April 2026. The Congress party has expressed concerns about the timeline of the proposal and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

The opposition to the BMC proposal highlights the ongoing debate over the use of amenity land in Mumbai. The city's development plan has reserved certain areas for public facilities, such as parks, gardens, and fire stations. However, there have been instances of amenity land being converted for residential or commercial use, which has raised concerns about the impact on the city's infrastructure and public services.

The Congress party's demand for more information and transparency in the decision-making process reflects the need for greater accountability and public participation in urban planning decisions. The proposal to alter the reservations on the Versova plot is a significant issue that affects not only the local residents but also the city's overall development and growth.

In conclusion, the BMC proposal to alter the reservations on the Versova plot has sparked opposition from the Congress party, which has warned of the potential for residential development on amenity land. The party's demands for more information and transparency highlight the need for greater accountability and public participation in urban planning decisions. The outcome of this proposal will have significant implications for the city's development and growth, and it is essential that the BMC and other stakeholders engage in a transparent and inclusive decision-making process.