Urban News

“We have asked for more reserved plots under the new DP rules in areas where there is proposed cluster development or any other huge development being undertaken by MMRDA, BPT etc or huge projects by construction companies such as the housing projects in Vikhroli by Godrej,” said Uday Tatkare, Chief Fire Officer.

According to international standards, for a population of 50,000, there should be at least one fire station. It is estimated that for the population of Mumbai, the city needs at least 125 fire stations. “Looking at the increasing population, rising number of constructions, slums, wide roads and developments in airports, docks etc, there was a need felt for more fire stations,” said Tatkare.

Under the new development plan, the fire brigade has asked to reserve plots which at least have 2500 sq metre area each in strategic points for construction of fire stations. The fire department has also requested BMC to provide it with provision for control rooms, changing rooms, store houses etc in fire stations and housing colonies for the employees as and when required. The fire brigade has also asked for extra manpower and equipment. “Priority should be given to fire stations when a reserved plot is being developed,” said Manoj Kotak, chairman of the improvements committee. “Though many highrises are being built in some area, they don’t have fire stations,” said Kotak.  About 22 plots were reserved for fire brigage in the current development plan of which only three are empty, and one has a fire station under construction.

These reserved plots are in Kanurmarg, Dahisar west and Andheri (west). The reserved plot in Mankhurd has a fire station under construction, said an official. The formation of the new development plan has begun as the BMC had finalised the consultant for the same.