BMC proposes 30-year takeover of Aarey Hospital in Goregaon

Mumbai: State-run Aarey Hospital in Goregaon may soon come under the management of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with the civic body proposing a 30-year takeover to improve healthcare access for tribal communities and residents of the forested Aarey region.

The proposal was discussed at the meeting of the BMC's Improvement Committee on Wednesday. Under the plan, the Maharashtra government would hand over the existing hospital building and adjoining staff quarters to the civic body free of cost through a long-term management agreement.

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As per the proposal, the BMC would be responsible for all operational expenses, maintenance, utility charges, taxes, licences, and liabilities associated with the hospital throughout the 30-year management period.

The move follows commitments made by the BMC before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission earlier this year. During those proceedings, the civic administration had informed the commission that most administrative formalities related to the transfer had been completed and that approval from the Improvement Committee was being sought under Section 90 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.

Public representatives from the area have repeatedly highlighted the need for direct municipal healthcare services in Aarey.

Currently, Aarey Hospital provides outpatient services. However, civic authorities believe the facility can be significantly upgraded and expanded under municipal management to cater to the healthcare needs of the region more effectively.

As per the proposal moved before the improvement committee, the existing hospital building measures 1,257.90 square metres, and the adjoining quarters measure 674.30 square metres, together covering 1,932.20 square metres. While running the hospital, the BMC will be required to provide affordable healthcare services to poor and needy citizens while ensuring continued medical services for employees of the dairy development department and workers associated with the dairy colony, the proposal said. The state government will retain ownership of the property, and the building and residential quarters will have to be returned to it at the end of the 30-year period, reports Hindustan Times.

Municipal officials said the existing infrastructure would allow healthcare services to be upgraded relatively quickly, requiring only repairs and essential improvements before operations could be expanded.

However, any future redevelopment or structural alterations may face regulatory hurdles, as the property lies within the eco-sensitive zone surrounding the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Any significant modifications would require approval from environmental authorities.

After deliberating on the proposal, the improvement committee referred it back to the BMC administration for necessary modifications. An approval from the committee will enable the BMC to begin upgrading healthcare services in one of Mumbai’s most environmentally sensitive and underserved regions, reports Hindustan Times.

Speaking to Free Press Journal, BJP leader Preeti Satam said the demand for a fully functional hospital in Aarey had been pending for years. She noted that residents currently have to travel to Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital and other medical centres during emergencies, including snake-bite cases and serious illnesses, resulting in crucial delays in treatment. Satam said a BMC-run hospital would significantly improve healthcare access in the area and expressed hope that inpatient services would also be introduced in the future, in addition to the existing OPD facilities.

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