M.T. Agarwal Hospital’s Renovation Delayed Again!!
BMC allots Rs 340cr for renovation; developers demand Rs 680cr!!
■ Home Times Bureau
Mulund’s famous M.T. Agarwal Hospital was the only civic hospital that had better facilities to cater to the needs of the poor and underprivileged people living between Mulund and Kanjur Marg. Recently, when the hospital went in for renovation, there was joy all around as BMC had promised to renovate the hospital into a Multi-Speciality hospital with 700 beds for which BMC had allocated Rs.299cr. However, it seems all the joy and enthusiasm has fizzled out, as the tenders for the renovation of the hospital are double the amount sanctioned by BMC for its renovation! Hence, yet again, the renovation of M.T. Agarwal Hospital has got into a tangle.
The reason why M.T. Agarwal Hospital cannot be renovated
It is a tragedy that BMC, which is regarded as the richest civic body in Asia, does not have the budget to renovate Mulund’s M.T. Agarwal Hospital. The reason explained by BMC behind the delay in renovation of M.T. Agarwal Hospital is that the tenders that BMC is getting from builders and developers are double the amount of the money that BMC has sanctioned in the budget! However, the big question is that, with the growth in inflation, the rates of construction are sure to increase.
The more the BMC will delay the renovation work, the more the rates of construction will increase. Hence, BMC must increase the sanctioned amount and start renovation before it increases further.
As a result, BMC is in a fix. It is wondering how it could sanction the tenders double the allotted amount!!
M.T. Agarwal Hospital is located at LBS Marg in Mulund West. This hospital was the only saving grace for the patients from Mulund, Bhandup, Nahur, Kanjur Marg and other surrounding areas, including Thane. Every day, more than 1000 patients would be admitted to this hospital and daily more than 3500 patients would take medications from its OPD. The hospital was huge and had many departments from Children’s Ward to Women’s Delivery Ward. Hence, this hospital was a blessing in disguise for patients living in Mulund and its suburbs.
However, despite being such a vital hospital in the suburbs, the treatment at the hospital is not up to mark. In addition, the building is in extremely dilapidated condition. But unfortunately, instead of starting renovation work on a war footing, the building has been closed and the medication work is shifted to the government building in T-Ward and patients are being referred to Sion Hospital or Rajawadi Hospital. A frustrated Mulundkar told Home Times, “It is a tragedy that Mulund is such an esteemed area yet people do not have a good civic hospital. Due to the closure of MT Agarwal hospital, we have to go as far as Sion and Ghatkopar to seek treatment. It is expensive and time-consuming. Some people go to SwatantraveerV.D.Savarkar BMC Hospital in Mulund East. But, alas, this hospital too does not have facilities for serious and complex diseases.”
BMC to increase Tender amount
Four years back, BMC had allotted Rs 299cr for a Super- Specialty hospital, but with the passage of time the delay in approving the tenders pushed up the tender amount to Rs 340cr. But, still, the amount seems to be much less than the amount required for renovation. Hence, sources from BMC informed that BMC has decided to increase the tender amount very soon.
Prakash Gangadhare suspects BMC is in nexus with private hospitals
Prakash Gangadhare, BJP Corporator, told Home Times, “I have witnessed the progress of M.T. Agarwal Hospital since past 4 years, but I am sorry to say the work of BMC is very slow and sluggish. I have many times expressed my anger, too, but in vain.” He lamented, “It is due to the lethargic attitude of BMC that the poor and needy are still waiting for the civic hospital to be renovated.”
“I sometimes suspect: Is BMC in nexus with private hospitals? Is BMC delaying the renovation work of M.T. Agarwal Hospital just to help these private hospitals do good business?” wondered Prakash Gangadhare.
