C ward congested, redevelopment only solution, say residents

Small and big temples, various markets, small industries and an old two-storey chawl marks the identity of C ward, comprising Bhuleshwar, Kalbadevi, Chirabajar, and Girgaum. But when it comes to fire prevention and firefighting, these characteristics become quite the impediment.

The issue of multiple parked vehicles that come with a large floating population is a major headache for the narrow roads. Residents of the area believe sustainable redevelopments is the only permanent solution, not just for fire prevention but for other infrastructural woes too. The mini fire station which will open next month can act only as a short-term solution they say.

The fire at a Kalbadevi building in May 2015, which took the lives of four senior officials was a major shock for Mumbai Fire Brigade. The BMC then changed its lookout and upgraded the fire brigade with advanced equipment and training. The scenario in Kalbadevi and surrounding areas remain unchanged, however; the fire brigade engines still can't enter the narrow lanes of most of the area under C Ward. The residents stress on getting rid of the vehicles parked along both sides of the road. They say that there is an urgent need to relocate the parked vehicles so that fire engines can reach the spot easily in case of a mishap. Mukesh Parmar, a shopkeeper based in Thakurdwar Road, said, "I have been staying here for the past 55 years. Nothing has changed. Only the number of vehicles parked have increased. People double park along the inner side roads, which blocks access to mishap-hit areas."

The residents also pointed out the menace of indisciplined kali-peeli taxis parked on CP Tank circle.

"Parking is a small part of the problem in this area. We have all kinds of markets, temples, industrial units and residences clustering the area. These structures are 80-90 years old. People stay in 150 sq feet plots. Redevelopment is the only way forward," said Rita Makwana, local corporator.

Another local corporator Akash Purohit told DNA, "The area in and around Zaveri Bajar is very congested. There are some spaces belonging to BMC which can be developed for parking or other purposes."

"The solution is to redevelop this area like BKC — Bhuleshwar, Kalbadevi, Chirabajar. It will solve the problem of basic infrastructure like drainage pipeline, water supply network, roads, parking, etc. On a short-term basis, we are stressing on parking discipline to avoid any congestion on the road at the time of crisis" said Sunil Sardar, Assistant Commissioner, C ward.

Prabhat Rahangdale, Chief fire officer of MFB told DNA, "The problem lies in narrow lanes and vehicles parked on both sides of the road. We face traffic issue across the city, but in South Mumbai, the problem gets worse due to narrow lanes. We have come up with the solution of a small fire engine for the time being and a new fire station at Jagannath Shankarsheth Road, where the mini fire tenders will be parked."