Mumbai: The proposed fire station at Priyadarshini Park on Nepean Sea Road will be the first ‘green fire station’ in the city. After being successful in taking over a portion of Priyadarshini Park for setting up the station, the Mumbai Fire Brigade has decided to convert it into a green fire station.
“The fire station at Priyadarshini Park will be having a bamboo cladding and will also have trees and creepers plants around it,” said chief fire officer, Prabhat Rahangdale. Last week, the Mumbai Fire Brigade had taken over a portion of Priyadarshini Park and built a temporary shelter stationing a fire engine there.
Considering the need of a fire station on Nepean Sea Road, the BMC had reserved an area of 4098.52 sq mt in its 1991 DP. The same reservation was also carried in the 2034 DP. The DP reservation for ‘fire station’ is on the land of 65,000 sq mt, which is owned by BMC, but was given to Malabar Hill Citizens Forum on adoption basis.
“Implementation of the DP was delayed as the plot was under litigation. The High Court dismissed the litigation on June 5. Notice of motion for the restoration of the PIL was served by the Malabar Hill Citizen Forum, which was heard before High Court on June 19.
During hearing, the court opined that there is a need of fire station in the area and the case will be heard next week. But no direction was given to remove fire engine station at Priyadarshini Park as prayed by the petitioner,” said a fire official.
According to fire officials, there is a great need for a fire station in the area, which was felt especially after the major blaze of Mont Blanc in Kemps corner in the year 2013 where seven people were killed. There have been 495 fire incidents reported in the areas around Priyadarshini Park in the last five years.
