Satam urges BMC to build Oshiwara-Versova-Lokhandwala fire station within six months

A proposal to build a separate fire station in the Oshiwara, Versova and Lokhandwala area has been stuck for several years. BJP Mumbai president and MLA Amit Satam has asked the Mumbai municipal administration to speed up the work and complete the fire station building within the next six months. He has written to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide in this regard.

A government plot has been reserved for the fire station in the sanctioned revised Development Plan. The plot, bearing CTS number 844/13 in Ambivali village, has been set aside specifically for a fire station. However, the project has been stalled for years, so residents of the area have not got the facility of a separate fire station.

In his letter, Satam has made serious allegations about the use of the plot. He alleges that the lessee of the plot, which is reserved for the fire station, is using it without permission for commercial activities, programmes and other events.

He has also sought immediate action against the unauthorised shed and construction on the plot. He has suggested two options. First, the corporation should take possession of the government plot and hand it over for building the fire station. Second, the present lessee should be directed to build the fire station and hand it over to the corporation.

Satam alleges that despite repeated follow-up by public representatives, the project is not moving forward because of certain vested interests. He said it is shameful that the municipal corporation of a big city like Mumbai has not been able to build a fire station in an important area, given the growing needs.

Citing recent fire incidents in the area, he stressed the need for a separate fire station. He has asked the commissioner to remove all land-related hurdles and clear the project, and to take the necessary steps to complete construction within the next six months rather than merely start it.