BMC Committee Rejects Versova Plot Rezoning For Housing

Mumbai's Improvement Committee has rejected the BMC's proposal to rezone a 1,143-sq-m Versova plot from a fire station to housing. The plot is currently reserved for a fire station under the 2034 Development Plan.

The committee's decision was made after corporators, including BJP's Sandeep Patel and ShivSena (UBT)'s Sachin Padwal, opposed the change, citing the urgent need for a fire station in the area. Patel noted that fire tenders take nearly 30 minutes to reach between Ambivli and Versova, highlighting the importance of having a fire station in the area.

The BMC's proposal had described the fire-station reservation as a 'mistake', citing existing Andheri stations and a proposed Ambivli station. However, the committee maintained that the area needs a fire station and demanded an inquiry into the official who certified that no such facility was required.

Versova's population of over five lakh is currently served by fire stations in Irla and Goregaon, with traffic potentially delaying emergency response. The 2034 Development Plan reserves 1,143 sq m for a fire station and 2,296 sq m for a municipal post in the area.

The proposal's rejection has been seen as a victory for residents who were concerned about the potential delays in emergency response. The committee's decision will now be sent back to the administration for reconsideration.

The BMC's proposal had been made after MHADA sought the removal of the fire-station reservation in July last year, claiming that the site was only reserved for a municipal post under the 1991 Development Plan. However, the committee's decision has ensured that the plot will remain reserved for a fire station.

The rejection of the proposal highlights the importance of having essential public facilities in the area. The committee's demand for an inquiry into the official who certified that no fire station was required has also raised questions about the decision-making process behind the proposal.

In the end, the committee's decision has prioritized the needs of the residents of Versova, ensuring that they have access to essential emergency services. The proposal's rejection is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to improve the city's infrastructure and services.

The BMC's decision to scrap the proposal will now be reconsidered, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. However, for now, the residents of Versova can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their concerns about emergency response have been heard.