BMC Proposes To Take Over Aarey Hospital In Goregaon For 30 Years
On Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) improvement committee deliberated on a proposal to take over the operations of the state-run Aarey Hospital in Goregaon, Mumbai, for a 30-year period. The initiative aims to improve healthcare access for the tribal residents of the forested Aarey region, with the BMC assuming responsibility for all operational expenses and maintenance of the facility.
Under the proposed long-term management agreement, the Maharashtra State Government will hand over the existing hospital building and attached staff quarters to the civic body free of cost. The BMC will manage all operational expenses, maintenance, taxes, utility charges, licences, and liabilities associated with the facility during the 30-year tenure.
The proposal follows submissions made by the BMC to the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission earlier this year. At the time, the BMC stated that administrative formalities for the transfer of Aarey Hospital were largely complete and that approval from the improvement committee was being sought under Section 90 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.
Elected representatives from the area have long advocated for direct access to municipal healthcare services for local residents. While Aarey Hospital currently provides only outpatient services, civic authorities plan to upgrade and expand the facility under municipal management.
The property includes an existing hospital building measuring 1,257.90 square metres and adjoining quarters measuring 674.30 square metres, totalling 1,932.20 square metres. Under the agreement, the BMC must provide affordable healthcare to poor and needy citizens, while ensuring continued medical services for dairy development department employees and workers associated with the dairy colony.
The state government will retain ownership of the property, and the buildings must be returned at the end of the 30-year period. Civic officials noted that since the structure already exists, healthcare services can be enhanced without major construction, requiring only repairs and upgrades.
Because the hospital is located within the eco-sensitive zone surrounding the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, any future redevelopment or structural modifications will require approvals from relevant environmental authorities.
Following deliberations on Wednesday, the improvement committee referred the proposal back to the BMC administration for necessary modifications before final approval.
