Four new OTs at Kurla Bhabha Hospital remain shut over missing power backup
Four newly inaugurated modular operation theatres at the civic-run K.B. Bhabha Hospital in Kurla have remained shut for nearly three months because the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation failed to procure required uninterrupted power supply units. The state-of-the-art facilities, which cost an estimated Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore to build, have been locked since their inauguration in March 2026, delaying critical surgical services for local patients.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) did not procure the four uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units required for an online power backup system. Without these units, the modular theatres cannot function.
The issue came to light during a Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, when Dr. Saeeda Khan, a corporator from Kurla's L ward, raised the matter. Dr. Khan alleged that the requirement for the UPS units was only realized when technical problems emerged during attempts to operationalize the theatres. The equipment supplier subsequently informed the hospital administration that the dedicated UPS systems were essential for the theatres to function.
According to Dr. Khan, the delay has caused significant hardship to patients. K.B. Bhabha Hospital caters to nearly 17 lakh people, most of whom come from economically weaker sections. The hospital records between 2,000 and 2,500 outpatient visits daily, and up to 2,800 during the monsoon. Of its 436 sanctioned beds, approximately 336 are currently operational.
In response to the allegations, the civic administration stated that the process to procure the UPS units is currently underway. The Chief Engineer (Mechanical and Electrical) has floated a tender worth Rs 35 lakh for the procurement, with July 10 set as the final date for submitting bids.
However, Dr. Khan warned that even after the tender process is completed, it could take another couple of months before the equipment is installed and the theatres become operational. She stated that the civic administration should have ensured all essential equipment was in place before inaugurating the facility.
