BMC Plans Five New Fire Stations Across Mumbai, Including Two on Coastal Road

BMC Plans Five New Fire Stations Across Mumbai, Including Two on Coastal Road

In a major push to improve Mumbai’s emergency response infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced plans to build five new fire stations across the city. The new facilities are part of a broader strategy to enhance the Mumbai Fire Brigade’s (MFB) capabilities and ensure faster response times during emergencies, particularly along key areas such as the Mumbai Coastal Road.

The BMC has allocated a substantial Rs. 261.72 crore for this initiative in the 2025-26 financial year, aimed at bolstering firefighting infrastructure and fleet capabilities. The new fire stations will be strategically located, including two along the Coastal Road in Worli, at Poonam Chambers and Amarsons-Tata Garden. These stations are expected to offer rapid access to critical zones, especially given the high-rise developments and busy infrastructure along the coast. This investment follows a previous dip in funding for fire services. In the 2024-25 budget, the allocation for the MFB had been reduced to Rs. 159 crore, down from Rs. 232 crore in earlier years. However, recognising the growing demands of the city, the BMC has significantly increased the budget this year to enhance emergency services.

Currently, Mumbai operates 35 major and 19 small fire stations, with ongoing developments at key locations. For instance, the construction of a new station at Thakur Village in Kandivali East has been completed, and another station at LBS Road in Kanjur Marg is nearing finalisation. Plans for further stations, including those at Juhu Tara Road in Santacruz West, Mahul Road in Chembur, and Tilak Nagar, are set to begin as soon as the allocated funds for the new fiscal year are released. Additionally, the MFB is set to receive state-of-the-art firefighting equipment, including four hydraulic platforms for high-rise firefighting by March 2025. The city will also see the introduction of 11 First Respond Fire Engines equipped with advanced technology, four support vehicles with high-pressure water pumps, six robotic life-saving buoys, and 35 smoke exhausters.

New firefighting technologies such as the Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) and drones are also being introduced, specifically designed to combat fires in high-rise buildings, where traditional methods often fall short. These developments reflect a modern approach to firefighting, incorporating technology to address the unique challenges posed by Mumbai’s dense, high-rise urban landscape. This major expansion of the Mumbai Fire Brigade’s infrastructure and capabilities underscores the city’s commitment to improving safety and response times for its residents. As these new stations and technologies come online, they will be crucial in addressing the growing urban fire hazards, ultimately providing more efficient and effective emergency services across Mumbai.